Antoine Sallis was rejected for a car loan because his credit score was 378.About a decade later, he was a millionaire.He repaired his credit and used debt to build wealth.This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Antoine Sallis, author of "The Great American Credit Secret: Part 2." It has been edited for length and clarity.The best thing that ever happened to my finances felt like the worst thing possible at the time. I was in my late 20s, working as a sales rep at Teen Mobile. I was proud of that job and felt like I was making moves. My next step was to get a decent car, better than the $300 cars from Craigslist that I'd driven in the past.One day, I walked by a dealership with a sign that said, "Your job is your credit." I took that to mean that as long as I had a job, I could get approved for a loan. I already knew I'd have to go somewhere lenient to get a car loan, but this seemed perfect. I didn't think I had any credit, but I definitely had a job.To make the purchase even more of a slam dunk, I saved a $500 down payment and picked the cheapest car on the lot, which cost about $9,000. I strolled in to apply, filling out the long paper application. I waited for about 20 minutes. Then, the sales rep came out, barely containing his laugh. He told me my credit score was 378 so low that I was an exception to their rule, and they couldn't give me a loan despite my job.I learned about the potential of responsible debtI walked out of there feeling dejected. I'd been planning to drive off that lot. On my bus ride home, I started thinking about credit, which I knew basically nothing about.I got tunnel vision, and started to learn everything I could about credit. I started with books and videos. Later, I called people who worked in finance, offering them $60 to answer my questions for 30 minutes.I cleaned up my own credit, which started with understanding why it was so bad. Once I pulled my credit report, I saw I had unresolved accounts I didn't even know about and student loans with late payments. I started paying my debts on time to build a positive credit history. Soon, people began asking me to help them understand theirs.As I learned more, I realized credit could be an incredible tool. Once my credit score was better, I took loans to invest in real estate. Most people think debt is bad. But I realized debt can give an opportunity: if you can take out a loan and triple your money over the life of the loan, that's a win.My mindset made me a millionaireWhen I embraced that mindset, things started changing rapidly for me. I started a credit repair company and continued to invest in real estate. By 2020, my company was doing very well, and I was a millionaire. Today I'm 42, and I'm a multimillionaire with a 780 credit score.In addition to learning about credit and debt, I've seen that your mindset can make a huge difference in your outcomes. Some people in my life are constantly looking for a handout, and they're stuck in a mindset of believing they can't do things. I used to be that way, but I changed.I became a millionaire in my mind before I ever became one at the bank, because I adopted a strong mindset. I became focused and driven.I pay for my son's college and give him an allowanceThe importance of mindset is what I want my son, who is 18, to take from my story. I can see he's learned that lesson. He used to have C's and D's on his report card, but since he moved in with me, he's a straight-A student. He's about to graduate, and I'm rewarding his hard work by paying for college.Throughout high school I gave my son a generous allowance, with the expectation that he'd keep his grades up. I pay for everything he needs, but if he wants money to hang out with friends, he knows that's his responsibility. He's seen my financial transformation, and I've talked with him since he was 10 about the importance of credit. Today, I think he knows more about credit than most people, and he even helps with my business teaching others about building their credit.Now, I have good enough credit to drive luxury carsThat day when I was rejected for a car loan, I laughed along with the salesman. But really, it was no laughing matter. Today, I have multiple luxury cars, which I love. The Lamborghini Gallardo is probably my favorite, though my Bentley is really comfortable.I want people to know that no matter how dismal your financial situation feels, you can change it. Leveraging credit and debt is a hidden avenue for people who didn't grow up wealthy to build their financial security. You can access more and more, as long as you do it responsibly.

Amy AdamsAmy Adams has been nominated for six Oscars. Matt Winkelmeyer/Staff/WireImage/Getty Images Adams has earned six Oscar nominations throughout her career, thanks to her roles in films like "Doubt," "The Fighter," and "American Hustle."Her most recent nomination came in 2019, for her role as Lynne Cheney in Adam McKay's "Vice."Bradley CooperBradley Cooper has earned 12 Oscar nominations. Jeff Kravitz/Contributor/FilmMagic/Getty Images Cooper has been nominated for 12 Oscars across five categories, including best actor, best supporting actor, best picture, best adapted screenplay, and best original screenplay for films like "Silver Linings Playbook," "A Star Is Born," and "Maestro."In 2024, Cooper's Oscars campaign for "Maestro" was widely criticized; as Business Insider's Olivia Singh wrote, "Cooper's effort to pay homage to the late musician was earnest, but his TMI approach to promoting the film during the press tour and awards season gave people the ick."Taraji P. HensonTaraji P. Henson has one Oscar nomination. Taylor Hill/Contributor/FilmMagic/Getty Images It may come as a surprise that Henson has only earned one Oscar nomination in her career despite starring in critically acclaimed films like "Hustle & Flow" and "Hidden Figures."Still, her only nomination came in 2009 for best supporting actress for her role as Queenie in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."Saoirse RonanSaoirse Ronan has been nominated for four Oscars. James Manning/Contributor/PA Images via Getty Images Despite being just 30 years old, Ronan has earned an impressive four Oscar nominations without taking home the trophy.Her first nomination came in 2008 when she was only 13 years old for her role as Briony Tallis in "Atonement," and her most recent nomination was in 2020 for her role as Jo March in Greta Gerwig's adaptation of "Little Women."Greta GerwigGreta Gerwig has been nominated for four Oscars. JC Olivera/Stringer/Getty Images Speaking of Gerwig, the American director and screenwriter also has been nominated for four awards throughout her career.Her most recent nomination came in 2024 for best adapted screenplay for the cultural phenomenon "Barbie." Cord Jefferson ultimately took home the award for "American Fiction."Paul Thomas AndersonPaul Thomas Anderson has earned 11 Oscar nominations. Jon Kopaloff/Stringer/Getty Images for TCM Thanks to his work on films like "There Will Be Blood," "Phantom Thread," and "Licorice Pizza," Anderson has earned 11 Oscar nominations across four categories, including best picture, best director, best adapted screenplay, and best original screenplay.Glenn CloseGlenn Close has been nominated for eight Oscars. Chris Pizzello-Pool/Getty Images Close has been nominated for eight Oscars across the best actress and best supporting actress categories.She earned her first nomination in 1983 for her role as Jenny Fields in "The World According to Garp" and her last in 2021 for her role as Mamaw in "Hillbilly Elegy."Ed HarrisEd Harris has been nominated for four Oscars. Robin L Marshall/Contributor/Getty Images The iconic character actor has earned four nominations throughout his impressive career. His last nomination was in 2003 for best supporting actor in "The Hours."Don CheadleDon Cheadle has been nominated for one Oscar. Theo Wargo/Staff/WireImage/Getty Images Cheadle has only been nominated for an Oscar once for his role as Paul Rusesabagina in "Hotel Rwanda." Jamie Foxx ultimately took home the award for best actor for his performance in "Ray."Still, Cheadle is one of few actors to have been nominated for every component of an EGOT, or Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award.Ralph FiennesRalph Fiennes has been nominated for three Oscars. Kate Green/Stringer/Getty Images Fiennes has earned three Oscar nominations, including a best actor nod this year for his role as Cardinal Lawrence in "Conclave."He was previously nominated in the category in 1996 for "The English Patient," and in 1994 he was arguably robbed of the award for best supporting actor for his role in Steven Spielberg's "Schindler's List."Michelle WilliamsMichelle Williams has been nominated for five Oscars. Arturo Holmes/Staff/Getty Images Since the ending of "Dawson's Creek," Williams has proved she's much more than just another teen soap star.Throughout her career, she's earned five nominations, the most recent of which came in 2023 for her leading role in "The Fabelmans."Edward NortonEdward Norton has been nominated for four Oscars. Pascal Le Segretain/Staff/Getty Images Norton has been nominated for four Academy Awards thanks to his work in "Primal Fear," "American History X," "Birdman," and most recently, the Bob Dylan biopic "A Complete Unknown."This year, Norton will compete against Yura Borisov, Kieran Culkin, Guy Pearce, and Jeremy Strong for best supporting actor.David FincherDavid Fincher has been nominated for three Oscars. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images Fincher has three Oscar nominations for best director for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Social Network," and "Mank."His distinct style and impressive line of work including "Seven," "Fight Club," "Zodiac," and "Gone Girl" is bound to get a win one day.Cynthia ErivoCynthia Erivo has been nominated for three Oscars. Samir Hussein/Contributor/WireImage/Getty Images This year, Erivo is nominated for her third Oscar thanks to her gravity-defying performance as Elphaba Thropp in Jon M. Chu's "Wicked."In 2020, she was nominated for best actress and best original song for her work in "Harriet." She lost the former to Rene Zellweger and the latter to Elton John and Bernie Taupin.If she wins the Oscar this year, Erivo will reach EGOT status.Sigourney WeaverSigourney Weaver has been nominated for three Oscars. Andreas Rentz/Staff/Getty Images Weaver has been nominated for three Oscars, including a best actress nod in 1987 for her role as Ripley in James Cameron's "Aliens."In 2015, while promoting the film "Chappie," Weaver told Digital Spy that the science fiction genre "doesn't get enough respect when you consider how many issues sci-fi brings up that we need to deal with.""I think part of it is the Academy is mostly people like me who are over a certain age and they're still probably looking for the more conventional movie. I think all that's going to change because some of the work being done in sci-fi is some of the most interesting, provocative work out there," she added.Tom CruiseTom Cruise has been nominated for four Oscars. Anthony Harvey/Getty Images Though he's arguably best known for his work in action films like "Mission: Impossible," Cruise has delivered Oscar-worthy performances, too.His ambitious work in Paul Thomas Anderson's "Magnolia" got him a best supporting actor nomination in 2000, but he lost to Michael Caine for his work in "The Cider House Rules." He's also been nominated for lead roles in "Born on the Fourth of July" and "Jerry Maguire."Annette BeningAnnette Bening has been nominated for four Oscars. John Sciulli/Contributor/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images Bening has earned five nominations spanning from 1991 to 2024.Her latest nomination was for her portrayal of Diana Nyad in "Nyad," which she lost to Emma Stone for her performance as Bella Baxter in "Poor Things."Kathleen KennedyKathleen Kennedy has been nominated for eight Oscars. Stuart C. Wilson/Stringer/Getty Images Producer and current president of Lucasfilm Kathleen Kennedy has been nominated for eight Oscars for best picture.Some of these nominees include iconic films like "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," 1985's "The Color Purple," and "The Sixth Sense."Ridley ScottRidley Scott has been nominated for four Oscars. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Contributor/FilmMagic/Getty Images The stylish director has been making feature films since the late '70s, but he has only been nominated for four Oscars.Though "Gladiator" took home the award for best picture in 2001, Scott lost out on the Oscar because he wasn't one of the film's producers. He was, however, nominated for best director, but ultimately lost to Steven Soderbergh.Scott's other nominations include best director nods for "Thelma & Louise" and "Black Hawk Down," as well as a best picture nomination as a producer of 2015's "The Martian" starring Matt Damon.Liam NeesonLiam Neeson has been nominated for one Oscar. Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images Neeson's sole Oscar nomination came in 1994 for his performance as Oskar Schindler in "Schindler's List."He lost the best actor award to Tom Hanks, who played Andrew Beckett in Jonathan Demme's "Philadelphia."

There are controllers you can get for $60your stock, no-frills Xbox and PS5 devicesor there are the performance controllers that cost $200. SCUF is known as a company that does the latter. They make high-end devices for players who want to imagine themselves going pro. But what about a $100 controller, like SCUFs new Valor Pro? Is there a market for people who just want a little bit more from their controller, even if its wired only? The Valor Pro feels premium and not premium. The Hall-effect sticks with their swappable covers are grippy in just the right way. Its the first time SCUF has tried Hall effect, and while it may not have the same feel as traditional sticks, they should avoid stick drift over time. The triggers with their instant switch have a definitive depth, and the back paddles feel form-fitted to slot your middle finger between (the inner paddles are also removable). Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo Its all very SCUF, and if youve used one of the companys controllers before, youll feel at home here. The one issue is that this controller is wired only. There are only so many ways to make a high-end controller cheaper, and removing the battery and Bluetooth connectivity is one way to do it. Most people who want to replace their controller will look for the cheapest option. I still use the SCUF Envision for my PC gaming adventures, despite how annoying ICUE software is for remapping controls. I prefer PlayStation-style controls, so naturally, Ill gravitate to the DualSense design. Still, theres something to say about that classic Xbox feel that has become so classic since the days of the Xbox 360. I played through several matches in Marvel Rivals with the Valor Pro, and without adjusting any profiles, remapping buttons, or adjusting stick sensitivity, I was already hitting some precise shots (there is some aim assist, yes, but its not nearly as intense as the console version of Marvel Rivals). I do have one big issue with the controller: the D-pad. It feels small, and unlike the traditional $60 Xbox wireless controller, the direction ridges dont go all the way to the edge. Its nice and clicky, just like the rest of the controller, but it also felt rough on the thumb. I cant imagine many fighting game aficionados enjoying the calluses developing on their thumb over an extended session.So, with a few extras like the audio control dials for your headset connected to the 3.5 mm jack, theres not much else to say. SCUF promises that a future update will allow for a 1KHz polling rate for the joysticks on PC, but only the most avid gamer can tell the difference.And if youre a pro gamer or somebody who thinks theyre a pro level able to shout loudest at teammates inCall of Duty: Warzone, you would inevitably think of getting a more expensive, higher-end controller anyway, right? Price is really what the discussion relies on. The Valor Pro costs as much as the Razer Wolverine V3, a fellow wired Xbox controller (though theres a wireless version, the Wolverine V3 Pro, for a whopping $200) with a similarly plastic feel and a squatter body. It was one of our favorite controllers from last year. The SCUF Valor Pro, by comparison, feels exactly like a typical Xbox controller, and thats a benefit for Xbox mainstays. It may not have all the bells and whistles like the dual swappable backpedals of the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller, either.The extra benefit of the Valor design is that you can replace the front faceplate with several unique colorways. You cant create your color swatch like you can Xboxs customizer, but Ill first note that the cherry blossom version looks very nice, even better than the translucent smoke plastic on my review unit. Controllers from left: SCUF Envision Pro; SCUF Valor Pro; SCUF Instinct Pro (Special Edition Squid Games). Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo It was only when SCUF sent me the Valor Pro for review I realized just how close these controllers resemble the $220 Instinct Pro. I have experience with those controllers through a special edition tie-in with Xbox and Netflix for Squid Game season 2. The Instinct Pro controllers also included swappable sticks and clicky adaptive triggers, but theres a distinct difference in how each controller feels. The RB and LB buttons on the Instinct have a more clicky sound than the Valor Pro. The Instincts non-Hall effect sticks have more gentle movement to the Valor, and the d-pad is especially better designed and allows you to hit diagonals easily. The other difference is the outside back paddles require more effort on the Valor than the Instinct. It comes down to personal preference, but. In essence, the Valor Pro is a pared-down Instinct Pro. Thats not a bad thing in itself. I wouldnt bat an eye if SCUF told me the controller was merely a wired-only Instinct with Hall effect sticks. And still, for the average gamer, the difference isnt so stark that you could pick up the Valor Pro and not pick up on the difference between it and your baseline $70 default Xbox device. There may very well be a gamer out there who simply wants a little bit more oomph from a controller than what you get out of the box. SCUF seems to think so, but Im still not sure. Because you can tell the difference between the Valor Pro, Instinct Pro, or Envision Pro. To SCUFs credit, the difference between its less- and more-expensive controller is minute. For a gamer who wants to go pro, the Valor Pro is like the training wheels for many controllers costing $150 or more.Everybody else can feel safe sticking with the default controllers for less.

By Margherita Bassi Published February 23, 2025 | Comments (2) | The 3D layers of Tylos's atmosphere. European Southern Observatory Astronomers have uncovered the secrets of an alien atmosphere on an exoplanet far beyond our Solar System, and its unlike anything weve ever seen before. In a scientific first, an international team of astronomers has 3D mapped the atmosphere of planet WASP-121b, also known as Tylos. Using the European Southern Observatorys Very Large Telescope (yes, thats really what its called), they identified complex weather patterns and a surprising chemical composition. Their study, published in an early unedited version on Tuesday in the journal Nature, paves the way for future research into extraterrestrial atmospheres. This planets atmosphere behaves in ways that challenge our understanding of how weather works not just on Earth, but on all planets. It feels like something out of science fiction, Julia Victoria Seidel, a physicist at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in Chile and lead author of the study, said in an ESO statement. Its worth mentioning that, since the official definition of planet remains limited to celestial bodies within our solar system (some astronomers are proposing to change this), Tylos is technically an exoplanetbut astronomers sometimes stick to planet for simplicitys sake. This experience makes me feel like were on the verge of uncovering incredible things we can only dream about now. The exoplanet in question is a gas giant (a large planet primarily made of helium and/or hydrogen) roughly 900 light years away from Earth. It closely orbits its star in just around 30 hoursso close, in fact, that Tylos is also classified as an ultra-hot Jupiter: an extremely large and hot planet with a very tight orbit. The time it takes Tylos to complete one orbit is the same time it takes the gas giant to complete one rotation, meaning that one of Tylos sides permanently faces its star and is much hotter than the other (i.e. its tidally locked). Seidel and her colleagues analyzed the exoplanets atmosphere using all four telescope units of the ESOs VLT. By tracing iron, sodium, and hydrogen, they were able to investigate the planets distinct deep, mid, and upper atmospheric layers.The VLT enabled us to probe three different layers of the exoplanets atmosphere in one fell swoop, said Leonardo A. dos Santos, an assistant astronomer at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore who participated in the study. Its the kind of observation that is very challenging to do with space telescopes, highlighting the importance of ground-based observations of exoplanets, he added. The structure and movement of Tylos atmosphere. European Southern Observatory The team then created a 3D map of their observations, unveiling an alien atmosphere outside of our Solar System in unprecedented detail.What we found was surprising: a jet stream rotates material around the planets equator, while a separate flow at lower levels of the atmosphere moves gas from the hot side to the cooler side. This kind of climate has never been seen before on any planet, Seidel explained. In comparison to the size and speed of Tylos jet stream, even the strongest hurricanes in the Solar System seem calm in comparison, she added. Additionally, a companion studypublished earlier this week in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics by some of the same researchersnotes the discovery of titanium below the jet stream. Previous research had not spotted this chemical presence, perhaps because of its depth within the atmosphere. Its truly mind-blowing that were able to study details like the chemical makeup and weather patterns of a planet at such a vast distance, said Bibiana Prinoth, a PhD student in astronomy and astrophysics at Lund University. This experience makes me feel like were on the verge of uncovering incredible things we can only dream about now. Prinoth co-authored the Nature paper and led the companion piece. Prinoths excitement is well placed. Future telescopessuch as ESOs forthcoming Extremely Large Telescope (ELT)will allow researchers to conduct similar atmospheric analyses of smaller Earth-like planets. The ELT will be a game-changer for studying exoplanet atmospheres, Prinoth concluded.Daily NewsletterYou May Also Like By Isaac Schultz Published February 15, 2025 By Isaac Schultz Published February 10, 2025 By Isaac Schultz Published January 31, 2025 By Passant Rabie Published January 21, 2025 By Isaac Schultz Published January 10, 2025 By Isaac Schultz Published December 24, 2024

Sainte-Croix Gymnasium / MUE Atelier + BSAAR + Erbat SASave this picture! Cyrille LallementGymnasiumSainte-Croix, SwitzerlandArchitects: AreaArea of this architecture projectArea:1500 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2021 PhotographsPhotographs:More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. The new Sainte-Croix gymnasium is set in a landscape-quality but constrained site, between a school building and a remarkable garden overlooking the mountains. Thanks to building compacity and relevant construction detailing, the architects of the project proceeded to provide in a single place a sports hall and a youth development and learning facility, both for schoolchildren and local inhabitants.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!In order to preserve the existing assets of the schoolyard and its adjoining garden, the project aims to blend in humbly with the surroundings. Designed as a pavilion in the heart of the garden, the building takes advantage of the natural terrain slope to reduce the impact of its emerging volume. In addition, the choice of wood material roots the project in the park, while a concrete pedestal follows the terrain slope as it reaches the public street downhill, turning into seating for walkers.Save this picture!The materiality of the project also intends to highlight local wood resources, thanks to synergies between all those involved in the wood sector (forest owners, forest rangers, timber industry and carpenters). The framework rationality as well as the vertical setting of the exterior cladding and its pre-greyed finish all vouch for a seek for efficiency regarding the performance of available tree species.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!To answer the dual program, the building uses two distinct load-bearing systems. The large volume of the sports hall is spanned by trapezoidal underslung beams, while solid wooden slabs complete the structural system over the 6 m span housing additional premises and the youth development and learning facility.Save this picture!The gymnasium, on the south side of the building, benefits from a triple orientation whose panoramic openings call for the scenery to enter the sports hall. On the north side, a 6-metre-thick volume receives all the additional premises such as locker rooms and storage, as well as the youth development and learning facility on the upper floor. Overhanging the massive volume of the sports hall, it benefits from natural daylight from the south and a view of the great landscape of the county.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officeMUE AtelierOfficeBSAAROfficeErbat SAOfficePublished on February 23, 2025Cite: "Sainte-Croix Gymnasium / MUE Atelier + BSAAR + Erbat SA" 23 Feb 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1026944/sainte-croix-gymnasium-mue-atelier-plus-bsaar-plus-erbat-sa&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Stack CommerceShareWe may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more PDF files are notorious for being difficult to work with; they wont let you do the slightest little thing. If youve finally had it with the poor-quality tools that your search engine throws out when you need to edit or convert a document at the last minute, then you will be thrilled to get agreat deal on the best PDF editor for Macs. A lifetime subscription to PDF Expert is currently available to new users for only $139.99.What does PDF Expert do differently?PDF Expert is incredibly fast and reliable, and its just so easy to use. The platform has a simple, streamlined menu suited to educators, students, managers, and anyone who regularly works with PDFs.Editing is just as easy as any word processor. Fix typos, insert images, update numbers, or add paragraphs and links. Even better, annotations are every bit as simple. Use highlighting and add popup notes, comments, and even stamps. In fact, you can create your own custom stamps.Naturally, you will be able to convert all kinds of files. Convert Word, PPT, JPG, PNG, and even Excel to PDFs. You can also convert PDFs to editable Word or TXT documents, JPG or PNG images, PowerPoint presentations, and Excel spreadsheets.Feel free to organize your PDFs any way you like. Split or merge the documents or extract pages to save as separate files. Delete, add, rotate, or rearrange your PDF pages as often as you like. Fill out forms, sign documents, and redact the PDFs.OCR is built in, allowing you to recognize text, search, copy, and highlight it. Freshen up your scanned pages by improving contrast, removing shadows, and fixing distortions. You can also split any of your double-page scanned items into separate pages and then crop them to adjust the margins.Your lifetime subscription includes priority support, as well. Its easy to see why PDF Expert has great 4.6 out of 5 stars ratings on both the Apple App Store and Capterra.Get alifetime subscription to the PDF Expert Premium Plan for Macs while its only $139.99.StackSocial prices subject to change.

ShareWe may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more I would admittedly consider myself a lazy astronomer and astrophotographer. I dont want to get in my car to drive somewhere with dark skies every time, and I dont like fussing with finicky setup processes. Plus, being in Florida, I dont enjoy standing outside looking through an eyepiece while fighting off hordes of mosquitos. Theres also the matter of figuring out what to look at in the first place. Despite all that, I do love getting to see detailed views of objects and stars in our night sky. So when Unistellar asked if I would like to check out its Odyssey Pro, a smart telescope that promises a more flexible viewing experience, I jumped at the chance. The Odyssey Pro ended up solving most of my astrophotography complaints, simplifying it and making it much more enjoyable, though it does so at a steep price.Abby Ferguson ProsVery easy to set upSimple to useRelatively compact and lightweightEffectively filters light pollutionHigh-quality images and viewsOption to view through app or eyepieceLong battery lifeIncludes a sturdy tripodConsWi-Fi range isnt very farPairing is a bit clunkyRequires the app for useIts $3,999The verdict: The Unistellar Odyssey Pro is an expensive telescope, but it is incredibly easy to set up and use and provides quality images even with zero experience.How we testedThe Odyssey Pro is relatively compact and lightweight, making it a good option to travel with. Thats partly a result of the Alt-Azimuth mount, which doesnt require counterweights but does enable full tracking capabilities. We brought the telescope to our friends houses a few times and even took it on a long road trip since it didnt take up much space in the car. Plus, you can buy a specially made backpack for easier telescope transportation.The designThe telescope comes with a tripod, saving you from purchasing one separately. It is a very sturdy tripod, so you can set up your telescope with confidence, even if theres some wind. The front of the telescope is magnetic, which holds the dust cap in place. It also allows you to attach the Unistellar Solar Filter easily, making it possible to view the sun safely.Connectivity, battery life and storageThe Odyssey Pro relies on a connection with the Unistellar app on your smartphone, tablet, or computer to function. The connection is based on the scopes onboard Wi-Fi adaptor, which means you dont have to stand right next to the telescope to stay connected. The range isnt as long as I would like, but it did allow us to stay inside, away from the mosquitos, while still getting a close-up look at the wonders in our sky. Unfortunately, there are no manual controls on the telescope itself other than the power button, so you wont be able to use it without the app. If your phones battery dies mid-session, you wont be able to put the telescope in Park mode to pack it up.As a primarily digital device, it naturally relies on a battery to function. Unistellar promises five hours of battery life from the integrated lithium-ion rechargeable battery, which is spot on what I was able to get in my testing. It features a USB-C port for charging, along with a USB-A port that can power your phone. Additionally, it offers 64GB of storage. That is quite a bit, but the telescope works by taking multiple images of the same object over time, stacking them together to reveal more detail, which eats through storage quicker than you may expect. Still, it was able to last a handful of viewing sessions, with me taking lots of images before the storage was full. But it never hurts to keep a power bank handy.Optics and sensorOn the surface, the Odyssey Pro looks like most telescopes. It uses a traditional Newtonian reflector design to gather light with a mirror diameter of 85mm and a focal length of 320mm, resulting in an f ratio of f/3.9. What makes it unique is that instead of that mirror guiding light exclusively to an eyepiece, the Odyssey Pro uses a 4.1-megapixel sensor for viewing and recording images. Then, you can view the night sky through the Unistellar app on your phone, tablet, or computer.Unlike the more affordable Odyssey, the Odyssey Pro still features an eyepiecemade in collaboration with Nikonfor a slightly more traditional telescope experience. Granted, the eyepiece uses a non-traditional design, relying on an OLED micro-display display instead of looking through the telescope. That display means you benefit from Unistellars live image processing, even when viewing through the eyepiece. It also doesnt look like you are viewing a display when looking through the eyepiece, so it still allows for an immersive experience.The featuresAs a smart telescope, the Unistellar Odyssey Pro is fairly feature-rich. It takes a lot of the work out of the astronomy process, which may be a big win for some (like myself) or a downside for those who prefer a more classic experience. Essentially, all of the features are a result of the Unistellar app, starting with the easy setup process.Setup and maintenanceOne of the best parts of the Odyssey Pro is the easy setup process. Traditional telescopes require rather annoying mirror alignment or focusing processes, but that isnt the case here. The telescope handles all of that automatically, meaning you can view the wonders of the night sky within minutes of taking it out of the box.The setup process is as simple as placing it on the sturdy tripod and ensuring its level. Theres even a bubble level built into the tripod to help you (which you can see in the gallery below). Then, you pair it with the Unistellar app, which was the most challenging part of the process since it was sometimes a bit finicky. After pairing, the app will perform an orientation. Instead of simply relying on GPS coordinates to pinpoint its location, the telescope triangulates its location based on the stars it can see. Then, it uses the Unistellar catalog to calculate where it is. The telescope and app handle the orientation process, so its just a matter of waiting a minute or two.Unistellar app controlsBeyond the initial setup process, the Unistellar app has plenty of tools to make viewing the night sky easy and approachable. Most notable is the catalog of over 5,000 objects (nebulae, galaxies, planets, and more) and 37 million stars and the self-orientating design. Since it knows your location, the catalog allows you to search and browse celestial objects that are viewable in your particular area. That way, you dont spend time waiting for the telescope to move to something that isnt even in your night sky at that moment. Plus, you can set custom parameters if you need to account for buildings or trees.Once you select what to look at, the motorized Alt-Az mount navigates for you. The telescope then tracks that object or star to keep it centered so you can keep viewing even as the earth rotates. This is especially beneficial because of Unistellars image processing technology, which produces a better image as time goes on. Plus, it will refocus when necessary to ensure whatever you are looking at stays focused.While you can choose to have a fully automatic process, the app does give you some manual controls. That includes manually rotating the mount to scan the night sky on your own. You can also take some manual control over the image settings, including gain (signal amplification of the sensor), exposure time, brightness, and background (how dark the background is).If you are viewing as a group, Unistellar makes it easy for multiple people to connect to the same telescope with their own device instead of all needing to hover around one persons phone or the eyepiece. Also within the app are tools to calibrate the sensor, focus the eyepiece, and re-orient the telescope, ensuring you have a quality viewing experience. You can even turn the scopes LED light on the side to red to prevent extra light pollution and lessen the impact on your night vision.AstrophotographyThe Odyssey Pro makes astrophotography incredibly easy. While it wont provide the same quality as a dedicated, high-quality astrophotography setup, it does provide quality results with far less fuss. Capturing images is as simple as choosing something to look at and tapping the capture button in the app. You can opt for a circular frame around the photo with relevant information like the object or star in the frame, exposure time, location, and date, or go for a frame-free image.One of the standout features of Unistellars telescopes, including the Odyssey Pro, is the Deep Dark Technology. This feature makes both viewing and astrophotography better. It is a denoising algorithm that reduces the effects of light pollution, revealing a truly black background as you would expect from space. It also helps amplify details and colors, making objects and stars viewable even in light-polluted areas.While I dont live in a place like New York City or Chicago, theres substantial light pollution near me. My attempts at astrophotography with my camera have yielded poor results because of that. The Odyssey Pro, though, cuts through all that, providing a phenomenal viewing experience regardless of light pollution. It takes time to filter through it, with the image getting better the longer you wait, but if you have some patience, you can see some outstanding results.The conclusionUnistellar did a fantastic job simplifying the astronomy experience, making it significantly more approachable. Everything from the setup process to the app navigation and viewing process is simple and intuitive, allowing you to start within minutes of taking the scope out of the box. The Deep Dark Technology and live image processing provide truly wow-worthy results, especially if you have the patience to observe one thing for a few minutes. Plus, the portability and ability to connect multiple apps make it easier to turn stargazing into a social event.Of course, there are downsides. The Wi-Fi range isnt all that extensive, so you need to stick fairly close. You also cant use the telescope if you dont have a device with the app, which is a bummer if your phones battery dies mid-session when traveling. The biggest downside, though, is the price. At $3,999, this is an expensive telescope.To save some money, you could opt for the Odyssey, which is the same in nearly every way but lacks the eyepiece. I have previously tested the Odyssey, and I didnt anticipate liking the experience of looking through the eyepiece so much. Yet, there is something special about that, so I enjoyed using the Odyssey Pro a little bit more. That said, there is a $1,700 price difference between the two models, and it seems hard to justify that much of a price for only the eyepiece. This topic sparked quite a debate with our friends, though, so it genuinely comes down to personal preference.The specsFocal length: 320mmMirror diameter: 85mmFocal ratio: f/3.9Image resolution: 4.1 megapixelsMount: Motorized Alt-AzDatabase: 5000+ objects, 37 million starsTelescope weight: 8.8 poundsTripod weight: 5.5 poundsStorage: 64GBBattery life: 5 hours

At Kruger National park, a wildlife photographer spotted a giraffe covered in hundreds of skin lesions that may be caused by a rare bovine papillomavirus.

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An unforgivable sinTVD:@AdrianDittmann Especially in the videogame industry, the quality of the majority of titles is absolutely terrible now