Researchers at Aberystwyth University have made a breakthrough in predicting the speed of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and their arrival time on Earth. This discovery improves our ability to forecast space weather events, providing crucial advance warnings for protecting vital technological systems.
Researchers found that Washington DC and Milwaukee have power grids particularly vulnerable to geomagnetic storms caused by solar flares and coronal mass ejections. The study highlights the need for further monitoring and modification of these areas to prevent damage during space weather events.
Researchers have spotted the first signs of the Sun's next 11-year solar cycle, which is expected to start in about six years. The detection was made using sound waves inside the Sun and shows a faint indication of Cycle 26, similar to what happened during the previous cycles.
The European Space Agency's PLATO mission aims to find nearby potentially habitable worlds around Sun-like stars. The space telescope will blast into orbit in December 2026 and study the stars using a range of techniques, including asteroseismology, to work out their masses, radii, and ages.
Researchers analyzed reflections of light on human eyeballs in real and AI-generated images, finding that fake images often lack consistency between left and right eye reflections. The study employed methods typically used in astronomy to quantify the reflections and checked for consistency.
Scientists have captured the first-ever image of an S-shaped jet coming from a confirmed neutron star, providing strong evidence for precessing jets. The discovery was made using the MeerKAT telescope and reveals valuable insights into the extreme physics behind the launching of the jet.
Researchers found deviations in pulse arrival times that indicate unseen concentrations of mass, which could be dark matter objects. The study improves pulsar timing data sample, shedding new light on dark matter distribution in the Milky Way.
Astrophysicists suggest that galaxies control growth through how they 'breathe', using supersonic jets to transmit energy and slow gas-accretion. This helps maintain the galaxy medium, keeping the supermassive black hole engine supplied with fuel.
Astronomers have discovered an Earth-like exoplanet 40 light-years away with a surface temperature of 42°C (107°F), making it potentially habitable. The discovery of Gliese 12 b offers insights into the evolution of habitability on planets across our galaxy.
A team of Earth scientists and statisticians has developed a method that can identify underground nuclear explosions with 99% accuracy. This breakthrough, published in Geophysical Journal International, uses data from known US nuclear tests and seismic patterns to distinguish between nuclear and natural earthquakes.
A team of international scientists has spotted a new type of elderly giant star, nicknamed 'old smokers,' which emits clouds of smoke over decades. These stars, hidden from view in visible light, were discovered using infrared light and have significant implications for the spread of heavy elements in space.
A new relationship between the Sun's magnetic field and its sunspot cycle has been discovered, enabling scientists to predict when the peak in solar activity will occur. The analysis indicates that the maximum intensity of solar cycle 25 is imminent and likely to occur within a year.
Researchers found high amounts of tryptophan in a nearby star-forming region using data from the Spitzer space observatory. The presence of this protein-building agent in the gas and dust from which stars form suggests it may be common in planetary systems.
A team of astronomers has observed the most luminous quasar in 9 billion years, shedding light on its interaction with its environment. The study found that the quasar's black hole is growing at a rate of 100 solar masses per year and emitting powerful winds into the host galaxy.
Researchers have found that supermassive black holes are more likely to grow and release energy when inside galaxies expected to collide. The study used a new technique to determine galaxy distances, providing insight into the growth of these black holes during cosmic noon.
A team of astronomers discovered a population of reddish Neptunian asteroids, which are thought to have formed beyond the transition boundary between neutral-colored and redder objects. The red coloration suggests these asteroids contain more volatile ices, providing insight into the early Solar System's conditions.
Astronomers have discovered a galaxy with a unique activity in its core, leading to a reclassification as a giant radio galaxy. The PBC J2333.9-2343 galaxy has a blazar at its center with jets that changed direction drastically by up to 90 degrees.
Astronomers have discovered a rapidly growing supermassive black hole in the very early Universe, which provides new clues on its formation. The galaxy, named COS-87259, contains over a billion solar masses worth of interstellar dust and is forming stars at a rate 1000 times that of our Milky Way.
Researchers at Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Montpellier have developed an early warning system for massive star supernovae. These stars will suddenly dim by a factor of 100 in visible light as they accumulate material around them, forming a 'cocoon' that obscures their light.
Astronomers have discovered a rare system featuring a black hole spewing a jet at a neighboring galaxy, providing insights into radio jet feedback and its impact on star formation. The unique nature of RAD12 has allowed researchers to study the interaction between the black hole's jet and the companion galaxy.
Researchers have discovered a new technique for detecting dim bodies, including planets, orbiting Cataclysmic Variables (CVs). The method analyzes changes in brightness caused by perturbations of a third body orbiting the inner two stars. Two out of four studied CV systems show signs of planetary mass objects in orbit around them.
Researchers have discovered a strange new type of star with surfaces composed of carbon and oxygen, the by-product of helium burning. The stars' unusual composition suggests they may have formed through rare stellar mergers, but current models cannot fully explain their origins.
Researchers have discovered a ring of planetary debris orbiting close to a white dwarf star, suggesting the presence of a nearby planet in the habitable zone. The planet is thought to be similar in size to terrestrial planets in our solar system and could support liquid water, making it potentially habitable.
A team of researchers led by Alexis Andrés analyzed 15 years' worth of data from NASA's Swift Observatory to find that Sagittarius A*, the black hole at the center of the Milky Way, flares irregularly both day-to-day and in the long term.
Researchers have found no dark matter in the ultra-diffuse dwarf galaxy AGC 114905, which can be explained by normal matter. The discovery confirms previous measurements and raises questions about the existence of dark matter in galaxies.
New research reveals that magnetic fields of middle-aged stars become sub-critical, leading to reduced angular momentum losses and altered magnetic field strengths. This phenomenon breaks the relationship between a star's age and its rotation rate, allowing for a diversity of solar-stellar phenomena.
A team at the Natural History Museum is testing spectral instruments for the ExoMars rover to identify meteorites on Mars. The rover's success rate is significantly higher than dedicated meteorite hunts on Earth, with one meteorite found per kilometre travelled.
A 2018 Martian dust storm destroyed a southern hemisphere cold air vortex and brought an early spring, whereas the northern hemisphere's vortex remained stable. The storm had profound effects on the atmosphere, including altering wind patterns and suppressing waves in the northern hemisphere.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery about the Sun's magnetic field, revealing that field lines become knotted before emerging at the visible surface. The findings provide conclusive evidence for one of two dominant theories explaining how solar activity occurs.
A survey of over 650 astronomers and geophysicists reveals a systemic bullying problem, with disabled and black/minority ethnic individuals facing higher rates of bullying. Women and non-binary individuals are also more likely to experience bullying and harassment in the workplace.
A new study reveals that planetary shields can buckle under intense stellar winds from dying stars, making it difficult for life to survive. Planets with weak magnetic fields are particularly vulnerable, while those with stronger fields may be able to withstand the effects.
The SuperBIT telescope will make its operational debut in April, offering high-resolution images rivalling those of the Hubble Space Telescope. The instrument will test whether dark matter slows down during collisions, a key signature predicted by theories explaining recent muon observations.
Astronomers find that massive black holes play a key role in halting star formation in galaxies, contradicting previous assumptions. Using simulations and machine learning, the team confirmed that supermassive black hole mass is the most important factor in suppressing stellar activity.
Cosmic rays play a critical role in the final stages of supernovae explosions, allowing for a bigger impact on surrounding interstellar gas. The study suggests that these particles can give an extra push to the gas, increasing momentum by up to 4-6 times.
Researchers reconstructed the encounter with ATLAS's tail using combined measurements from Solar Orbiter's instruments. The model indicates that the ambient interplanetary magnetic field 'drapes' around the comet, forming a central tail region with a weaker magnetic field.
The Royal Astronomical Society has launched a new gold open access journal, RAS Techniques and Instruments, to bridge the gap between generalist and specialist journals in these fields. The journal will publish high-quality papers on instrumentation, data science, machine learning, software, and numerical methods.
New models of neutron stars show mountains only a fraction of millimetres high, contradicting previous estimates. The research used computational modelling to study the role of ultra-dense nuclear matter in supporting these tiny mountains.
The Kepler Space Telescope has discovered four new planets that are consistent with Earth-sized masses and may be free-floating in space. These findings suggest the existence of a population of free-floating planets, which could have been ejected from host stars by gravitational forces.
A new analysis of exoplanets reveals that Earth-like conditions for oxygen-based photosynthesis are much rarer than thought. Only a handful of potentially habitable planets have the necessary energy for complex biospheres to develop, with Kepler-442b being one exception.
Astronomers have discovered a mysterious yellow star that exploded without the typical hydrogen layer, revealing new insights into the violent death throes of massive stars. The discovery challenges current understanding of stellar evolution and suggests that these stars may undergo catastrophic eruptions before exploding.
A new theoretical study suggests that supermassive black holes could form directly from dark matter in high-density regions, contradicting current understanding of their formation. This proposal has key implications for cosmology and the early Universe, potentially explaining how supermassive black holes grew so quickly.
Astronomers have discovered a unique 'heart-shape' with intricate gas filaments at the centre of the Crab Nebula. The new 3D reconstruction challenges traditional supernova theories and provides unprecedented insights into the explosion.
Two giant radio galaxies have been discovered in a small patch of sky, exceeding the size of the Milky Way. The discovery was made possible by the MeerKAT International Gigahertz Tiered Extragalactic Exploration (MIGHTEE) survey, which revealed these cosmic beasts with unprecedented sensitivity.
The new data includes exceptionally accurate measurements of the 300,000 stars within the closest 326 light years to the Sun. Researchers predict how the star background will change in the next 1.6 million years and confirm that the Solar system is accelerating in its orbit around the Galaxy.
Astronomers have developed a new method to detect dark matter haloes surrounding galaxies, allowing for more precise measurements of the invisible mass. By analyzing the gravitational lensing effect on galaxy rotation, researchers can infer the amount of dark matter required to explain observed distortions.
Astronomers have discovered phosphine in the clouds of Venus, leading to speculation about the presence of microbial life. Calculations suggest that terrestrial organisms would need to operate at 10% of their maximum productivity to produce the observed quantity of phosphine.
A new study resolves the Galactic bar paradox by proposing that the central region of the Milky Way is connected to the spiral arm in a 'cosmic dance', causing contradictory estimates of motion. The bar's size and rotational speed fluctuate rapidly, making it appear larger and slower at certain times.
A new study using crowd-sourced GPS data reveals signs of a rising mantle plume beneath the Eifel region in western Germany. The research suggests that this ancient volcanic system may still be active, posing an increased risk of seismic activity and volcanic eruptions.
A team of Indian scientists has detected a broad-energy X-ray pulsation in the new source, classifying it as an ultra-luminous X-ray pulsar (ULXP). The object is thought to be a neutron star with a rotation period of up to 100 times per second.
The Royal Astronomical Society has awarded its highest honors to Professor Sandra Moore Faber and Professor Yvonne Elsworth for their groundbreaking research in galaxy structure, cosmology, and solar physics. Their achievements have significantly advanced our understanding of the universe.