Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Tiny Mars’ big impact on Earth’s climate

Mars plays a measurable role in shaping Earth's long-term climate patterns, including ice ages, through its gravitational influence and orbital cycles. The study suggests that Mars' presence is necessary for the existence of major climate cycles, which have driven evolutionary changes on Earth.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific·DateJan 12, 2026

Radiation belt electron wisp inside South Atlantic anomaly due to terrestrial VLF transmitter observed by MSS-1

Scientists detected a 'wisp' precipitation with peak intensity inside the South Atlantic Anomaly, a region of weaker geomagnetic field and higher energetic particle flux. Ground-based VLF transmitter in Australia scatters electrons into this 'wisp', which is characterized by its peak intensity outside the anomaly.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateMar 25, 2025

Small and large planets have significantly different upbringings

Researchers measured exoplanet orbits, finding small planets have nearly circular orbits while giant planets have more elliptical orbits. This discovery points to two different formation pathways for small and large planets.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 5, 2025
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Betelgeuse Betelgeuse? Bright star Betelgeuse likely has a ‘Betelbuddy’ stellar companion

A new study suggests that Betelgeuse's pulsing is due to an orbiting companion star known as the 'Betelbuddy'. The star acts like a snowplow, pushing light-blocking dust out of the way and making Betelgeuse appear brighter. Researchers used computer simulations to confirm this hypothesis, ruling out other possible causes.

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 21, 2024

Squeezed by neighbors, planet glows with molten lava

A new rocky planet, TOI-6713.01, has been found to be covered with active volcanoes, making it glow with a fiery, glowing-red hue. The planet's surface temperature reaches 2,600 degrees Kelvin due to gravitational forces that cause it to experience tidal energy.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·DateMay 9, 2024
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Climate played a crucial role in human migration from Africa

Scientists discovered that the Sahara Desert was greener during the time of Homo erectus' migration, allowing for a more hospitable passage. This discovery sheds new light on how early humans adapted to their environment.

SourceAarhus University·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeObservational study·DateDec 6, 2023

One-third of galaxy’s most common planets could be in habitable zone

New analysis reveals that two-thirds of planets around small stars could be sterilized by tidal forces, leaving one-third with potentially habitable zones. Hundreds of millions of promising targets have been identified for future studies.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateMay 29, 2023

Are Earth and Venus the only volcanic planets? Not anymore.

Astronomers have discovered an Earth-sized planet, LP 791-18d, with active volcanoes that could sustain an atmosphere, potentially allowing for liquid water and life. The planet's unique tidal locking creates a permanent day and night side, with the night side possibly experiencing condensation of water vapor.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature·DateMay 17, 2023

Could more of Earth’s surface host life?

A new study suggests that Earth's habitability could increase if Jupiter's orbit becomes more eccentric, leading to parts of the surface warming up and becoming habitable for multiple life forms. The researchers also found that this change in Jupiter's orbit could have implications for the search for habitable planets around other stars.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 9, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Efficient satellite downlink with a Ka band dual circular polarization transmitter

Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a novel Ka band dual circular polarization transmitter, reducing signal losses and increasing transmission efficiency. The design integrates adaptive impedance tuning and calibration techniques, enabling practical devices with improved power efficiency and wide-angle coverage.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2022

Black hole billiards in the centers of galaxies

Researchers propose a new mechanism for eccentric black hole mergers, suggesting that interactions between three black holes in a flat disk environment could lead to chaotic orbits. This finding challenges previous studies on the rarity of such events.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalNature·DateMar 9, 2022

How scientists designed the orbit of theChang'E 5 mission

The article discusses how scientists at Beijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd. used key orbit design technologies to achieve a 23-day journey of lunar sample return with the Chang'E 5 mission. The success relied on precise orbit designs for lunar orbit rendezvous and docking, precision landing, and inclination optimization.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalSpace: Science & Technology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 4, 2022

Rare 4000 year comets can cause meteor showers on Earth

Researchers at the SETI Institute have detected rare meteor showers caused by 4000-year-old comets. The Cameras for Allsky Meteor Surveillance project uses low-light video security cameras to measure meteors' trajectories and orbits, revealing nine parent bodies of previously unknown meteor showers.

SourceSETI Institute·JournalIcarus·DateMay 20, 2021
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Venus might be habitable today, if not for Jupiter

A study by UCR astrobiologist Stephen Kane suggests that Venus was likely habitable a billion years ago due to its more circular orbit. The findings could provide insights into how the Earth became habitable and what went wrong for Venus, which now has surface temperatures of up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalThe Planetary Science Journal·DateSep 30, 2020

Orbital mayhem around a red dwarf

Researchers at UNIGE detected an exoplanet with a highly inclined orbit around a red dwarf star, evading circular motion and instead following a polar path. This unusual behavior is attributed to the presence of an unknown companion planet that disturbs its path.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature·DateDec 18, 2017

Circular orbits identified for small exoplanets

A team of astronomers found that 74 Earth-sized exoplanets orbit their stars in circular patterns, contrary to expectations. This discovery suggests that small planets may maintain stable climates year-round, making them more hospitable to life.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJun 1, 2015

Wide binary stars can wreak havoc in planetary systems

A recent study found that wide binary stars in planetary systems can lead to dramatic events over time. In one hypothetical system, at least one of four giant planets was ejected in almost half of the simulations. The researchers also discovered substantial evidence that this process occurs regularly in known extrasolar planetary systems.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature·DateJan 7, 2013
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

First triple asteroid system found

Astronomers have discovered the first triple asteroid system, 87 Sylvia, consisting of a large asteroid and two smaller moons, Romulus and Remus. The discovery reveals that the asteroids may be formed from debris left over from collisions between larger asteroids.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature·DateAug 10, 2005

Astronomers find 'home from home' - 90 light years away!

A team of British, Australian and American astronomers have discovered a planet similar to Jupiter in orbit around a nearby star, 3.3 times further from its star than Earth is from the Sun. The system's long-term precision allows for the detection of true analogues to our Solar System, advancing the search for systems like our own.

SourceScience and Technology Facilities Council·DateJul 3, 2003
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Jupiter-size planet found orbiting star in big dipper

A team of astronomers has discovered a Jupiter-size planet in a nearly circular orbit around the nearby star 47 Ursae Majoris, located about 51 light years from Earth. The new planet is at least three-fourths the mass of Jupiter and orbits the star at a distance that would place it beyond Mars but within the orbit of Jupiter.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·DateAug 15, 2001

NEAR Shoemaker primed for final weeks in orbit

The NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft will embark on a series of low-altitude passes over asteroid 433 Eros from Jan. 24 to Jan. 28, gathering detailed images of the surface. The controlled descent, set for Feb. 12, aims to capture high-resolution close-ups of Eros' cratered landscape.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·DateJan 9, 2001

NEAR Shoemaker closes in for unprecedented view of asteroid

The NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft will swoop in for a record-breaking view of asteroid Eros, collecting data and images from just 5.3 kilometers above the surface. The low-altitude flyover will provide detailed information on the asteroid's shape and surface features.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·DateOct 22, 2000

Spacecraft readies for record low pass over asteroid

The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) mission has successfully executed the first of three orbital correction maneuvers to bring its spacecraft closer to asteroid Eros. The spacecraft will make a gradual pass within 4 miles of the asteroid's surface, gathering high-resolution images and data on the asteroid's structure.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·DateOct 12, 2000
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

If the Sun is exceptional, alien life may be hard to find

Guillermo Gonzalez argues that the Sun's exceptional characteristics made intelligent life emerge on Earth. The Sun is unusually massive and has a stable light output, making it an ideal place for life to thrive. This rules out over 95% of stars in the Galaxy as potential candidates.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateJun 24, 1999

There's A Mystery Object Not Far From The Earth

An asteroid approximately 30-50 metres across has been discovered in an orbit close to Earth's, likely originating from the Moon. The object's unusual nearly circular orbit is unlike most comets and asteroids that cross the Earth's orbit.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateFeb 24, 1999

MIT Physicists Envision Violent Beginnings For Newly Discovered Planets

Astrophysicists at MIT propose that newly discovered planets in Jupiter-sized systems underwent violent instability upon formation. This instability can lead to the ejection of one planet and a smaller, eccentric orbit for another, with potential consequences for planetary system evolution and intelligent life.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateNov 8, 1996
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

SFSU Researchers Discover New Planet With Oblong Orbit

A new planet has been discovered around the star 16 Cygni B with an orbital eccentricity of 0.6, unlike any other known planet in our Solar System. This extreme oblong shape indicates the planet experiences significant variations in heat energy as it orbits its host star.

SourceSan Francisco State University·DateOct 22, 1996