Researchers have spotted Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities in exploding cloud material from the Sun, similar to those seen in Earth's clouds. These instabilities could help predict the Solar System's 'weather'.
Researchers have identified a complex brain navigation system in migrating monarch butterflies that integrates internal compass, sun compass, and skylight cues to guide their long-distance migrations. The study reveals the integration of seemingly contradictory signals into a consistent neural representation of the environment.
A new study explores the impact of sun dimming on atmospheric teleconnections, which are crucial for predicting weather regimes. The research suggests that a dimmed sun could alter the link between tropical temperatures and extra-tropical circulation, potentially affecting prevailing weather patterns.
Researchers report a lower value of total solar irradiance than previously measured, demonstrating improved accuracy and consistency. The new findings will help resolve the question of how significant a contributor solar fluctuations are to global warming.
Researchers discover that jets of plasma shooting up from just above the Sun's surface are a major source of hot gas replenishing the corona. This finding addresses a fundamental question in astrophysics and provides new insight into the Sun's subtle influence on the Earth's upper atmosphere.
Scientists observed temperatures of millions of degrees in gas jets, known as spicules, which could contribute to coronal heating. The discovery offers a new framework for understanding the sun's high atmosphere and its role in space weather.
Scientists have discovered that narrow jets of plasma, known as spicules, shoot up from the Sun's surface and insert heated plasma into its outer atmosphere. This finding addresses a fundamental question in astrophysics and provides an observational challenge to existing theories of coronal heating.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered that the hornet's body shell can harvest solar power due to its unique structure. The yellow and brown stripes on the abdomen enable a photo-voltaic effect, converting solar radiation into electric energy.
University of Washington engineering students have developed a device that uses the sun's rays to detect bacterial and viral contaminants in drinking water. The device, called Solar Disinfection of Water (SODIS), was designed to monitor water disinfection using the sun's rays and has won $40,000 prize from Rockefeller Foundation.
Research shows that deleting the ghrelin receptor but not the protein itself boosts the body's fat-burning thermostat in aging mice. This results in thinner mice with lower circulating lipids and increased heat production.
A new explanation of how humans solve problems creatively has been introduced, providing a roadmap for building systems that perform like humans. The theory proposes the coexistence of two types of knowledge and processing: explicit and implicit. By incorporating this principle, computers can now mimic human creativity in problem-solving.
Researchers found that low mass dark matter particles can interact with the Sun's atoms, transferring energy from the core to the external parts. This interaction cools down the Sun's core and reduces the flux of solar neutrinos.
Researchers have found a dozen double-star systems consisting of two white dwarfs, with half expected to merge and explode as supernovae. The merged stars will stir space-time, creating gravitational waves and causing them to spiral closer together.
A new study demonstrates that magnetic forces correctly explain the motion of erupting plasma clouds, resolving a long-standing challenge in understanding coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The research uses data from the STEREO twin-satellite mission to validate a theoretical model of CMEs as giant 'magnetic flux ropes'.
According to a University of California, Berkeley study, nearly one in four sun-like stars could have Earth-size planets. The researchers found increasing numbers of smaller planets, down to super-Earths, about three times the mass of Earth.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have discovered how sunscreens break down in sunlight, leading to an increase in contact allergy. The study has led to the development of a new test for photocontact allergy, which could help patients avoid substances that cause allergic reactions.
The Solar Probe Plus mission will send a robotic spacecraft to the sun's atmosphere to answer long-standing questions about its outer layers. The probe will measure magnetic and electric properties, helping to understand how solar wind is generated and better comprehend the heliosphere.
A new study published in Nature found that a decline in the Sun's activity may cause the Earth to become warmer, contrary to previous expectations. The research suggests that an increase in solar activity may actually cool the planet, rather than warm it.
The sun uses its solar wind and ultraviolet radiation to strip Mars' atmosphere, making it cold and dry. MAVEN will examine the ways the sun loses the Martian atmosphere and measure hydrogen isotope ratios to discover how much water has been lost to space.
The Solar Probe Plus mission will explore the sun's corona and solar wind in unprecedented detail. The NRL's Wide-field Imager will provide direct measurements of the plasma and create 3-D images of clouds and shocks.
Scientists have detected gas escaping from Mercury using NASA satellites designed to view the Sun's atmosphere. The STEREO mission has recorded evidence of a 'tail' of emission surrounding the planet, similar to comet-like features observed on Earth and in images taken by the MESSENGER satellite.
A study found that one in ten US adolescents uses sunless tanning products, which may reduce sunbathing and sunburns among adult women. Another study showed that promoting sunless tanning as an alternative to regular tanning can lead to reduced UV radiation exposure and improved sun safety behaviors.
NASA has awarded CU-Boulder $6.7 million to design instruments for the Solar Probe Plus mission, which will orbit 22 times closer to the sun than Earth. The team aims to understand how the sun ticks and better forecast radiation environments for future space explorers.
A study conducted by a joint team of researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine found significant disparities in skin cancer knowledge among male and female medical students in Florida. The study revealed that men had lower knowledge levels, less appreciation for sun protec...
The Center for Astrophysics (CfA) will play a major role in NASA's Solar Probe Plus mission by deploying the Solar Wind Electrons Alphas and Protons (SWEAP) Investigation. SWEAP will directly sample the Sun's outer atmosphere, providing unprecedented insights into the Sun's effects on the solar system.
Astronomers have found evidence for stellar cannibalism in the star BP Piscium, which appears to be an old red giant. The discovery suggests that stars like our Sun may engulf companion stars or planets as they age.
Researchers suggest that detecting neutrinos and gravity waves can independently confirm the presence of dark matter in the sun. Current detectors, such as Borexino and SNO, will be able to measure the sun's core temperature with precision.
The Solar Probe Plus mission will measure energetic particles in the Sun's corona, providing critical data on acceleration mechanisms and space weather. SwRI-led instruments will help determine the structure and dynamics of the Sun's magnetic field and forecast hazardous space weather.
Scientists have observed a magnetic cycle in a distant star, HD49933, that is similar to the sun's solar cycle. The team used stellar seismology to detect acoustic fluctuations and found a signature of starspots, areas of intense magnetic activity on the surface.
Scientists have discovered a magnetic cycle in a distant star using stellar seismology, finding a pattern similar to the Sun's solar cycle. The study aims to better understand how magnetic activity cycles differ from star to star and its impact on potential planets.
A recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters found a link between the sun's ultraviolet radiation levels and a temporary shrinking of Earth's outer atmosphere. The research suggests that the sun's magnetic cycle may vary more than previously thought, leading to dramatic fluctuations in atmospheric density.
Researchers found that solar flares can affect the decay rate of certain radioactive elements on Earth. This effect is likely caused by solar neutrinos emitted by the sun. The study's findings could lead to a new method for predicting solar flares and protecting satellites from damage.
Researchers discovered that many binary asteroid pairs do not remain bound to each other but escape, forming two separate asteroids in orbit around the sun. The study showed a specific relationship between the larger and smaller members of the pair, with the smallest one always less than 60% of the size of its companion.
A Mediterranean diet high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to reduce the damaging effects of UV rays on the skin. Foods such as olive oil, fish, fruits and vegetables can provide essential nutrients to protect against skin cancer, while regular sunscreen applications and protective clothing are also crucial.
A new analysis suggests that a prolonged phase of low activity in solar cycle 23 could be caused by changes in the sun's conveyor belt. The study's findings provide insight into factors controlling solar cycles and may lead to improved predictions.
A new analysis suggests that a stretched Sun conveyor belt may have caused the prolonged phase of low activity in solar cycle 23, leading to longer solar cycles. The study provides insights into the factors controlling solar cycles and could improve predictions.
A $2.4 million NSF grant will enable NJIT physicist Philip R. Goode to develop a new adaptive optics system, allowing for better study of sunspots and space weather. The improved optics will increase the distortion-free field of view, enabling researchers to study larger areas of the sun.
Scientists studied the impact of a prolonged Sun cycle on Earth's conveyor belt and found that it may have led to a longer cycle. Additionally, researchers examined how global water supply sharing affects drought vulnerability, finding that sharing water globally during times of drought can increase societal resilience.
The Caltech-Canadian Space Agency partnership aims to detect signs of microbial life and geological activity on Mars. The MATMOS instrument will analyze gases in the Martian atmosphere with high sensitivity.
Astronomers have discovered a brown dwarf companion to a young sun-like star, PZ Tel A. The discovery reveals the early stages of solar system formation and provides insights into planetary formation.
Researchers have witnessed how a key enzyme called photolyase works at the atomic level to repair sun-damaged DNA in a few billionths of a second. The discovery holds promise for future sunburn remedies and skin cancer prevention by allowing scientists to design drugs or lotions that heal sun damage.
Scientists have discovered a star with a mass of 265 solar masses in the Large Magellanic Cloud, exceeding previous records. This finding raises questions about the formation process of such massive stars and their role in shaping the universe.
A new model developed by researchers predicts an individual's vitamin D requirements based on their skin tone, sun exposure, and dietary habits. The model suggests that individuals with relatively low sun exposure may need additional vitamin D to reach a target blood level of 75 nanomoles per liter.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new material that can decompose organic molecules in polluted water using visible light. By decorating silver chloride nanowires with gold nanoparticles, they have created a photocatalytic system that can break down pollutants like methylene blue.
Researchers found an association between sun-sensitizing medications and the development of cortical cataract in a study of 4,926 individuals. The study suggests that increased UV-B exposure may be a critical factor in this link.
A team of astronomers suggests that many comets, including Halley and Hale-Bopp, could be from other star systems. The researchers propose that the Sun captured these icy bodies during its birth in a dense gas cloud.
A new study suggests that many well-known comets, including Halley and Hale-Bopp, may have formed in orbit around other stars. The Sun is believed to have captured small icy bodies from its sibling stars, creating a reservoir for observed comets.
A team of researchers tracked a comet as it approached the sun using data from NASA's STEREO and SOHO spacecraft. The comet, believed to be part of the Kreutz family, survived the intense heat of the corona and evaporated in the chromosphere.
An international team of astronomers will conduct a closer look at the mega star birthing cloud, located 8,000 light years away in the Southern sky constellation Carina. The cloud is collapsing in on itself, offering an unusual view into behemoth star birth and providing insights into the formation of our solar system.
Researchers have uncovered the reason behind a four-billion-year-old 'missing ice age,' solving one of science's greatest mysteries. The discovery reveals that thin clouds and oceans played a crucial role in keeping the Earth warm, contradicting previous theories about greenhouse gases.
Researchers found that bats orient themselves using the Earth's magnetic field at night and calibrate it to the sun's position at sunset. This ability helps them navigate long distances up to 1000 km across Europe, with some species migrating seasonally.
A sun protection intervention program increased hat use at school, but had no effect on self-reported hat use at home or skin pigmentation. The program's success highlights the importance of educating children about sun protection and modeling healthy behavior.
Researchers found that the Earth's magnetic field 3.5 billion years ago was weaker than today, making it easier for solar winds to strip away water from the early atmosphere. The stronger solar wind likely caused more polar aurora and reduced water vapor levels, with potential implications for modern-day water availability.
The CU-Boulder Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE) will measure rapid fluctuations in the sun's extreme ultraviolet output, affecting Earth's upper atmosphere and technology. Scientists hope to use this research to make better space weather predictions, predicting communications and navigation outages.
Researchers at the University of Leeds discovered that the Antarctic ozone hole's repair may actually accelerate climate warming in the region. The formation of brighter clouds reflecting sunlight has shielded the area from carbon-induced warming over the past two decades.
The NASA Deep Impact spacecraft has captured videos of sun glints from space, indicating the presence of large bodies of water on Earth. The observations provide a way to detect planets beyond our solar system that are likely to have expanses of liquid, increasing the chances of finding life.
Researchers observed the sun's outer atmosphere during eclipses, capturing the first images of the solar corona in a near-infrared emission line of highly ionized iron. The observations revealed localized regions of enhanced density and extended beyond three solar radii above the sun's surface.
A twin study has identified factors associated with sun damage and skin aging, including smoking and being heavier. The study found that a history of skin cancer and photodamage were highly associated in twin pairs, while sunscreen use was not.
An international team of astronomers has discovered six low-mass planets, including two super-Earths, around two nearby Sun-like stars. The discovery indicates that low-mass planets are common and potentially habitable worlds may be found within a few years.
Researchers have discovered two new planetary systems with low-mass 'super-Earths' orbiting nearby sun-like stars. The planets are smaller than previously discovered worlds and may be habitable.