Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research have determined Mercury's surface silicon dioxide content with greater accuracy, finding it up to 25% less abundant than previously thought. This suggests the volcanic rocks on Mercury formed from more deeply melted mantle material than previously assumed.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in solar physics by visualizing tiny plasma vortices on the Sun's surface. These vortices are changing our understanding of the Sun and its magnetic field, providing new perspectives on energy storage and release.
The Sunrise III mission has provided a treasure trove of data on the Sun's dynamics, revealing new insights into its quiescent state and volatile behavior. The observatory captured image sequences at intervals of about a quarter of a second, revealing structures as small as 50 kilometers in size.
The Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) instrument distinguishes between chiral variants of pristane and phytane, which are promising indicators of past life on Mars. The researchers used samples from the Murchison meteorite, finding all chiral variants in equal proportions.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research identified the ring-shaped region outside Jupiter's orbit as a 'pluripotent' planetesimal breeding ground. Computer simulations show diverse populations of planetesimals can form over millions of years, establishing a connection to specific groups of meteorites.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research investigated how solar prominences form and what secrets their longevity holds. They found that multiple processes create a balance between material loss and supply, driven by magnetic fields and temperature gradients in the Sun's atmosphere.
Researchers used isotope ratios in Earth and Moon rocks to deduce the possible composition of Theia. They found that most building blocks likely originated in the inner Solar System, suggesting a close connection between Earth and Theia.
Researchers analyzed data from Solar Orbiter's PHI and EUI instruments to study the Sun's supergranulation and magnetic network at the south pole. The findings show that the magnetic field drifts towards the poles faster than expected, providing important clues about the Sun's global plasma and magnetic field circulation.
The Inouye Solar Telescope has begun analyzing the Sun with its new spectro-polarimeter, VTF, which can determine crucial properties of plasma flows and magnetic fields. The instrument offers unprecedented spatial, temporal, and spectral resolution to study the dynamic nature of our star.
Researchers discovered organic molecules on Ceres' surface but found no evidence of volcanic or tectonic activity. The deposits are thought to have originated from impacts by outer asteroid belt bodies, which could have introduced building blocks of life.
A recent study resolves contradictions in the Moon's age and composition. Researchers found that the Moon's crust was melted twice, with the second heating event resetting its geological clock and altering the age of lunar rocks. This discovery sheds light on the Moon's turbulent history and volcanic past.
A new study reveals that sun-like stars experience superflares approximately once per century, releasing massive amounts of energy in short periods. This finding suggests that the Sun's long-term behavior may be more frequent than previously thought, with implications for forecasting dangerous space weather.
Researchers discover that asteroid Ryugu, a carbon-rich meteorite, shares a rare ingredient with material formed at the outer edge of the Solar System. The findings challenge previous ideas about the formation of asteroids and require a rethinking of the origin of the CI chondrites group.
Researchers have successfully determined the size and atmospheric composition of exoplanet WASP-39b by including a star's magnetic field in model calculations. The study improves upon previous observations by providing a more precise understanding of the planet's signal in light curves.
Researchers have discovered that high-latitude long-period oscillations play a crucial role in limiting the Sun's pole-to-equator differential rotation. The temperature difference between the poles and equator is found to be less than seven degrees, controlling the angular momentum balance in the Sun.
The study reveals that the region within Io's orbit is dominated by oxygen and sulfur ions, with oxygen prevailing among the two. Further inward, within Amalthea's orbit, oxygen ion concentration increases unexpectedly.
A machine learning algorithm called HORUS has improved the resolution of images of lunar shadowed regions, allowing scientists to better understand the geology and potential hazards. The algorithm achieved a resolution of about 1-2 meters per pixel, revealing small geological structures such as boulders and mini-craters.
Researchers investigate how Arrokoth's pancake-flat shape emerged from the formation process of the Solar System. They suggest that the body may have started as a merger between a spherical and an oblate body, or that its shape developed gradually due to favorable orbital conditions.
Scientists studied sunspots and their movement, discovering a giant cell in each hemisphere with plasma moving towards the equator at 15 km/h. The meridional flow explains why sunspots emerge closer to the equator as solar cycles progress.
A study of 369 solar-like stars reveals that the Sun's solar brightness variations are among the weakest, with fluctuations typically about 5 times stronger in other stars. The research suggests that our star may have been unusually inactive over the past 9000 years.
Researchers analyzed data from 224 stars to understand the interplay between rotation and convection in determining a star's activity level. The study found that turbulent convection plays a crucial role in explaining the behavior of main-sequence and evolved stars, contradicting previous models.
Researchers discover that some red giants contain less iron and more elements like magnesium and calcium, suggesting an ancient age. The study reveals that these stars may have merged with others during their transformation into red giants, explaining the apparent paradox.