Astronomers have discovered unexplained wave-like structures in the dusty disk surrounding the young star AU Mic, moving at speeds of up to 22,000 miles per hour. The features, resembling ripples in water, are unlike anything ever observed or predicted and may provide valuable clues about planet formation.
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) captured an image of a mid-level solar flare, peaking at M5.5 on Oct. 1, 2015. The flare emitted powerful bursts of radiation that can disturb the atmosphere in the layer where GPS and communications signals travel.
A team of scientists analyzed observations of sunspots as they formed using data from Hinode, SDO, and IRIS satellites. They modeled the observations using state-of-the-art numerical simulations performed on the Pleiades supercomputer at NASA Ames Research Center. The study reveals that the territorial struggles between magnetic bundle...
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured an image of a mid-class solar flare on September 28, 2015, which peaked at M7.6 intensity. The event is expected to disturb the atmosphere in layers where GPS and communications signals travel.
Researchers attached geolocators to Prothonotary Warblers in Louisiana, tracking their migration patterns that spanned at least 5,000 miles across seven countries. The study provides new insights into the birds' migratory behavior and wintering locations.
The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory has discovered its 3,000th comet, thanks to a volunteer astronomer in Thailand. This milestone marks a significant achievement for SOHO's comet project, with over 200 comets found annually by citizen scientists.
Scientists at NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) have captured the rare alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth. During this event, a partial solar eclipse was visible from parts of Africa and Antarctica, providing a unique opportunity to study the effects of these celestial alignments.
Researchers used the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) to locate compact regions within the nearby dwarf irregular galaxy Wolf--Lundmark--Melotte that can emulate larger galaxies' star-forming environments. These discoveries shed light on how dense star clusters can form in low-density, gas-poor galaxies.
Despite decades of economic isolation, Iranian scientists have made remarkable achievements through ingenuity and collaboration. New projects, such as the Iranian National Observatory, aim to reclaim the country's past astronomical glory and tackle pressing environmental issues like Lake Urmia's rapid decline.
Researchers investigate the effects of shock waves on the brain to design helmets that can withstand penetrating blasts from IEDs. The goal is to develop specifications guiding the development of new personal protection systems for soldiers.
Research reveals HIV testing trends among adults aged 50-64 are not sustaining gains after CDC's 2006 recommendation. Testing rates remain low at around 3.7% despite risk behaviors remaining constant, underscoring the importance of patient advocacy for older adults
Researchers confirm coronal heating mechanism using observations from NASA's IRIS and Japan's Hinode solar observatory. Resonant absorption process converts magnetic waves into heat energy, explaining why the sun's corona is hotter than its surface.
Researchers at the IceCube Neutrino Observatory have gathered powerful new evidence in support of previous observations confirming the existence of cosmic neutrinos. The detection of ultra-high-energy muons provides independent confirmation of astrophysical neutrinos from our galaxy and cosmic neutrinos from sources outside the Milky Way.
Astronomers using Gemini Observatory's new Planet Imager have probed a newly discovered world in unprecedented detail. The planet, 51 Eridani b, is about two times the mass of Jupiter and features a Solar System-like atmosphere with methane detection.
Scientists use archived data from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to study 13 unusual exploding stars, known as supernovae. These young stars were ejected from their galaxies at high speeds, and astronomers believe that supermassive black holes in merging galaxies played a key role in their ejection.
The sunshield on NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is the largest part of the observatory, separating a warm sun-facing side from a cold environment to protect sensitive infrared instruments. The precise unfolding of the five-layer sunshield must be accurate within a few centimeters to maintain alignment and operate effectively.
Researchers found that a slight deflection in natural gravity at Greenwich causes the offset. The study's findings confirm that newer technologies like GPS have replaced traditional methods of determining longitude.
Typhoon Soudelor was characterized by intense rainfall and towering thunderstorms. NASA satellites detected sustained winds of up to 121 mph near the storm's center.
Astronomers confirm exoplanet orbiting far from its central star using gravitational microlensing, opening new discovery space for long-period orbits. The Uranus-sized planet is about 370 million miles from its parent star, with a host star about 70% as massive as our Sun.
Researchers have detected lithium in material ejected by a nova, resolving a long-standing puzzle about its abundance in young stars. The finding sheds light on the chemical evolution of the Milky Way and could inform models of the Big Bang.
The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission observed Typhoon Halola with rainfall rates of up to 40 mm/h near the southeastern side, while the northern side showed less than 10 mm/h. The storm's elongated shape and dry air's effect contributed to its weakening circulation.
The Global Precipitation Measurement satellite tracked Typhoon Halola's strengthening and intensification, revealing heavy rain rates of over 84 mm/h. The storm's tall thunderstorm towers reached heights of over 10.5 miles, releasing energy that can lead to intensification.
The Stephen Riady Geosciences Scholars Fund will support PhD geoscience students at NTU, focusing on research on earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis and climate change. The endowment aims to enhance resilience and safety in the region.
Researchers studied the exoskeletons of deep-sea shrimp and shallow-dwelling shrimp, revealing differences in structure and performance. The deep-sea exoskeleton is softer yet capable of withstanding temperature extremes, while the surface-shrimp exoskeleton is harder and better protects against predators.
Researchers will investigate how early childhood influences versus recent influences affect cognitive and physical health in middle age. The study will analyze data from over 1,600 participants, including adoptees and twins, to better understand the role of genetic and environmental factors on cognition.
A team of astronomers using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope discovered the brightest galaxy yet found in the early universe. The galaxy, CR7, contains massive blue stars - the first generation of stars that forged the heavy elements necessary for life.
A new study by Michigan State University economists suggests that public deliberation is crucial for stable economic growth. By considering diverse citizen opinions, policymakers can create policies that regulate the economy and allocate resources effectively.
Researchers have developed a new, non-invasive method to diagnose kidney disease using an optical probe and Raman spectroscopy. The technique allows for the detection of subtle molecular changes in kidney tissue, enabling accurate differentiation between healthy and diseased kidneys.
Typhoon Dolphin intensified over the Northwestern Pacific Ocean before weakening into an extra-tropical storm, according to NASA's triple examination. The RapidScat instrument detected a significant increase in winds, while the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) core observatory estimated heavy rainfall near Guam and Rota.
Researchers at Rice University and Indian Institute of Science model seashells' ability to withstand pressure, discovering evolutionary optimization allows fractures to appear only where they're least likely to hurt the animal inside. The team found complex shapes make shells nearly twice as good at bearing loads than nacre alone.
A calibration mission on a Terrier-Black Brant suborbital sounding rocket will help calibrate the EVE instrument on NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). The mission aims to measure the total energy output of the sun in extreme ultraviolet light waves and track changes over time.
A UH-led team successfully observed the total solar eclipse over the Arctic, capturing breathtaking images of the sun's corona. The team braved extreme weather conditions and polar bear danger to set up equipment at two locations in the Svalbard archipelago.
Scientists at NJIT's Big Bear Solar Observatory have captured groundbreaking images of the Sun's interior structure, revealing complex dynamics of sunspots' dark cores. The high-resolution images show finely structured plasma flows and oscillating cool jets piercing the hot atmosphere.
Scientists capture first high-res images of flaring magnetic structures known as solar flux ropes, providing insights into massive eruptions on the Sun's surface. The images were taken with NJIT's newly commissioned 1.6m New Solar Telescope at Big Bear Observatory.
Severe thunderstorms swept through central Texas on April 26, 2015, generating heavy rainfall and large hail. The GPM Core Observatory satellite captured a 3D view of the storms, revealing some reaching altitudes above 7.7 miles.
A study published in American Journal of Public Health found that blacks may not experience the same risk reduction from moderate alcohol consumption as whites. The study analyzed data from over 152,000 adults and found varying risks and benefits among different racial and gender groups.
The Carnegie Airborne Observatory-3 (CAO-3) is a cutting-edge aircraft-based mapping system that can gather global data on ecosystem structure, biomass, and biodiversity. The new laboratory features advanced sensor capabilities, allowing for more flights and increased flexibility in operational decisions.
Brian Koberlein, RIT's senior lecturer in Physics and Astronomy, will visit telescope sites in Chile from June 20-30 to learn about instruments and research. He aims to bring this connection to his students, highlighting US astronomy efforts and their impact on society.
The LEECH exoplanets survey has obtained new images of HR 8799, a 30-million-year-old star with four known giant planets. The team found that the system likely consists of multiple double resonances, indicating gravitational interactions between the planets.
A team of scientists using NASA's WISE observatory has found no evidence of advanced extraterrestrial life in 100,000 galaxies. The study searched for signs of highly advanced civilizations in mid-infrared wavelengths, a radiation detectable by the satellite.
The Milky Way's star formation rate peaked 10 billion years ago, but our sun formed about 5 billion years ago. This may have fostered the growth of our solar system's planets by enriching the galaxy with heavier elements.
NASA's fleet of satellites captured stunning views of Super Typhoon Maysak's eye and powerful thunderstorms. The storm dropped rain at a rate of over 70 mm per hour northwest of its well-defined eye. Maysak was moving west-northwest towards the Philippines, where it is expected to make landfall on April 4.
Researchers used ESA's Herschel and Planck space observatories to identify objects in the distant Universe that could be precursors of today's galaxy clusters. These early galaxies were found to be forming stars at an extremely high rate, with some converting gas and dust into stars at a rate 1,500 times faster than our own Milky Way.
The North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) has received $14.5 million in NSF funding to create a Physics Frontiers Center to detect low-frequency gravitational waves using millisecond pulsars as a detection tool.
A new satellite will monitor solar storms and detect pollution from underground aquifers that seep into the ocean. The Deep Space Climate Observatory will provide critical warnings for astronauts and operators of planetary infrastructure.
The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite provided data on rain rates throughout Cyclone Pam, revealing a well-defined inner eyewall with intense precipitation features. The cyclone's maximum sustained winds were estimated at 135 knots (~155 mph), indicating a near category 4 storm.
On March 9, 2015, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) captured images of two mid-level solar flares, classified as M5.8 and M5.1, from the same active region. The flares occurred after the region rotated over the left side of the sun on March 7, marking the second and third flares in this cycle.
Scientists used bistatic radar to create high-resolution images of Venus' surface from Earth, revealing features like mountains, craters, and volcanoes. The technique enables comparison of images taken at different periods, helping detect signs of active volcanism or geologic processes.
A mid-level solar flare occurred on March 7, 2015, peaking at 5:22 pm EST, as captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. The event was classified as an M9.2-class flare, which is twice as intense as the next largest category, M8.
Researchers found that young tropical forests experienced significant declines in manakin survival during dry weather associated with El Niño events. In contrast, mature forests showed stable survival rates regardless of climatic shifts, suggesting a constant abundance of fruit resources.
A team of astronomers used ALMA to study a star-forming region in the Sculptor Galaxy, revealing that it is much more massive and dense than similar regions in normal spiral galaxies. This suggests that starburst galaxies are better at forming stars due to their unique stellar nurseries.
A new study predicts that the Western US will face persistent drought worse than any seen in the past 1,000 years, driven by human-induced global warming. The region's larger population and increased resource use will exacerbate the devastating impacts of such a drying period.
The donation will be used to augment general expenses, augmenting the existing annual funding of $1.5 million. The observatory supports hands-on astronomical experiences for students and the public, with opportunities for undergraduate research and discovery.
A team of astronomers successfully restored the Half-wave Spectropolarimeter (HPOL) instrument, allowing it to conduct measurements with improved performance. The upgraded HPOL is now fully operational at the University of Toledo's Ritter Observatory and enables researchers to study variable or transient objects more effectively.
A team of researchers has created a high-resolution map of the Ophiuchus molecular cloud, identifying 75 dense cores and finding that their masses follow a log-normal distribution. This suggests that turbulence plays a significant role in shaping the evolution of the cloud.
A team of researchers from Case Western Reserve University has discovered new features of the 'Whirlpool Galaxy', M51a, using a 20-hour exposure photograph. The image reveals faint plumes extending from the galaxy's northeast and south, providing valuable insights into its history and interaction with neighboring galaxies.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission's Core Observatory captured satellite images of the nor'easter storm system, revealing intense bands of snowfall and heavy rainfall rates. The storm brought blizzard conditions to parts of New England, with up to 30 inches of snow falling in some areas.
The University of Warwick's Next Generation Transit Survey (NGTS) aims to detect small planets from Neptune size down to twice the size of Earth. Researchers hope to study the atmospheres and composition of these super-Earths, which are thought to be common around other stars.
Researcher Mary Grossmann used an underwater observatory to study plankton during typhoons, finding consistent migratory habits despite turbulent waters. The study reveals surprising patterns, including some species avoiding high-turbidity waters and others continuing to feed at night.
The Deep Space Climate Observatory will capture the entire sunlit side of Earth in one image, providing unprecedented atmospheric data and insights into global weather patterns. The launch marks a significant improvement in solar wind speed measurement and complement NASA's larger missions.