Articles tagged with Solar Radiation
A team of international researchers used aurora data to assess the impact of radiation-belt electrons on the ozone layer. They found a localized ozone hole in the mesosphere, about 400 km wide, directly below isolated proton auroras, with up to 10-60% of ozone destroyed.
A new study by Pusan National University researchers finds that dry heatwaves mainly occur in northwestern East Asia, while moist heatwaves prevail over southern East Asia. The study predicts more frequent dry heatwaves and longer-lasting moist heatwaves under climate change scenarios.
Researchers have developed a new protocol for testing perovskite solar cells, which are radiation-hard and durable enough for use in space. The study found that perovskites are more resistant to damage from radiation than previously thought, making them suitable for applications such as lunar installations and satellite missions.
A new study shows substantial increases in atmospheric thirst across the US Southwest, with warming temperatures accounting for 57% of the changes observed. The largest changes are centered over the Rio Grande region, where crops now require more water and can be expected to require even more in the future.
Researchers have solved a key part of the coronal heating problem by merging two previous theories into one. The study used six-dimensional supercomputer simulations to show how turbulence creates magnetic waves that heat the gas in the Sun's atmosphere.
A fresh analysis suggests that the global cooling effect of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano eruption will be smaller than expected. However, the researchers warn that a one-time-only event may not be sufficient to overwhelm the longer-term global warming tendency.
Research led by the University of Bristol and Peking University has found that China is responsible for over half of the global increase in dichloromethane emissions since 2011. The chemical, used as a solvent in various industrial applications, poses a significant threat to ozone layer recovery.
Researchers have standardized black carbon measurements in the Arctic, improving our understanding of climate change. By correlating absorption coefficients with COSMOS measurements, they derived reliable conversion factors for various instruments, enabling more accurate climate modeling and air quality assessments.
Researchers found that migratory bird species tend to be lighter colored than non-migratory species, reducing the risk of overheating during extreme journeys. The study's findings suggest that lighter plumage coloration helps birds absorb less heat and stay cooler in the hot sun.
Researchers from TROPOS and partners developed innovative air quality models to predict solar radiation and PV output. The study found a clear gradient in solar energy across Germany, with aerosols dimming energy in the east compared to the west.
Research found strong correlation between Arctic black carbon abundance and mid-latitude biomass burning, indicating models underestimate BC contribution from biomass burning by a factor of three. This has significant implications for Arctic warming and climate change.
Researchers from DTU Space and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that solar eruptions reduce cosmic ray flux, leading to reduced aerosol production and decreased cloud cover. This results in an increase in the Earth's energy budget by almost 2 W/m2 within 4-6 days.
Researchers at Skoltech have identified a favorable window of opportunity for manned Mars missions in the mid-2030s. The study suggests that launching during the decaying phase of solar activity can help shield astronauts from cosmic rays, allowing for longer flight durations.
A research team from Kyoto University assessed eight flight routes during five ground level enhancements to evaluate the risks of solar particle events. The study found that the maximum flight route dose and dose rate arising from major GLE events would need to exceed 1.0 mSv and 80 µSv/h, respectively, for countermeasures to be deemed...
Researchers from Northern Arizona University found that solar radiation can produce iron nanoparticles on the Moon's surface, a process previously thought to be less significant. This discovery has important implications for future space missions and the study of the Moon's surface evolution.
Scientists have solved a long-standing mystery about the Sun's internal magnetic field, which could help predict space weather and prevent devastating geomagnetic storms. The new study provides a strong theoretical framework to improve understanding of the Sun's electromagnetic behavior.
Researchers developed machine learning models that can predict daily solar radiation using only thermal data, improving upon existing methods in various geo-climatic conditions. The models have been tested in nine locations across southern Spain and North Carolina, showing significant improvements in accuracy.
Climatologists tested a solar geoengineering scenario using the MAR climate model to reduce Greenland's mass loss by 6% locally. However, the researchers warn that this approach is not sufficient to stabilize the ice cap by the end of the century and poses risks to the ozone layer and water cycles.
The CLASP2 space experiment has mapped the Sun's magnetic field in the outer layers of the solar atmosphere. This achievement provides new insights into the origin of violent solar activity and its effects on Earth's magnetosphere.
A study by Dr. Michael Deininger found that changes in regional precipitation over the past 10,000 years are connected and mainly caused by alterations to solar radiation and associated temperature differences between tropics and polar regions. This could lead to shifts in regional rainfall patterns, potentially causing droughts in som...
Researchers found that aerosol-photolysis interaction impacts atmospheric oxidants, leading to decreased secondary aerosol formation. ARI increased near-surface PM2.5, while API suppressed its formation, resulting in a net 4.8% increase.
A SwRI-led team used data from NASA's Parker Solar Probe to identify low-energy particles near the Sun, likely originating from solar wind interactions beyond Earth orbit. The particles are thought to be created by stream interaction regions and can pose a radiation threat to space travelers and technology.
A new warning system, WASAVIES, can estimate radiation doses due to solar energetic particles (SEP) up to 100 km above the ground in real-time. This system enables aircrew radiation dose monitoring and provides information for aviation operation management.
Scientists developed record-high radiation stable organic solar cells that retained over 80% efficiency after exposure to 6,500 Gy of gamma rays. The breakthrough enables space applications for the light-weight and flexible solar cells.
A team of scientists found that opsin 3, a protein related to rhodopsin, regulates melanin production in human skin cells. Without opsin 3, the skin produces more pigment, resulting in darker skin color. The study reveals a new paradigm for opsins and may lead to treatments for pigmentation disorders.
A new study from Florida State University finds that climate change could significantly reduce hawksbill hatching success due to extreme temperature fluctuations, increased rainfall, and soaring solar radiation. Researchers project a 11% reduction in overall hatching success by 2100.
Researchers have developed wireless, battery-free sensors that monitor skin exposure to solar radiation in real-time, providing a flexible method to track UV light. The devices overcome existing drawbacks such as limited battery life, allowing for broader use in outdoor activities and optimizing light-based treatments for skin conditions.
A new map of daily light integrals has been created by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, providing guidance for greenhouse managers on local light regimes and supplemental lighting requirements. The updated maps use recent solar radiation data from 1998 to 2012, offering higher resolution and more precise data.
Comet-derived IDPs contain presolar interstellar dust, such as GEMS, with organic carbon mantles that decompose at high temperatures. The results suggest that GEMS formed in a cold environment and represent surviving building blocks of the Solar System.
A new study reveals that algae and impurities on the Greenland ice sheet's surface are causing it to darken, leading to accelerated melting. The Dark Zone, a 400km-wide region, is found to be covered in dust and black carbon that provide nutrition for dark-colored algae.
A group of 12 scholars from developing countries urge global leadership on solar radiation management (SRM) geoengineering to reduce climate change impacts. The proposal involves spraying reflective particles into the upper atmosphere to mimic volcanic cooling effects.
Researchers estimated radiation risks for astronauts in low Earth orbits, finding they would have faced toxic doses during a massive solar event. The study used supercomputers to model the Manned Orbiting Laboratory's orbit profile and simulate space weather.
A study by University of Exeter researchers found a link between the solar cycle and extreme cold winter weather in the UK, Scandinavia, and Asia. During periods of low sunspot activity, Arctic warming and heavy snowfall occurred.
Recent research from the University of New Hampshire's Space Science Center shows that space radiation is getting far more intense, posing significant risks to astronauts and satellite technology
Scientists at Utah State University have identified a new bacterial, iron-only nitrogenase pathway for methane formation, transforming carbon dioxide into methane in a single step. This finding provides a second target for understanding biological methane production and rising emissions.
A recent study published in Nature Communications suggests that unregulated chemicals like dichloromethane could substantially delay the recovery of Antarctic ozone levels. If continued emissions trends persist, ozone depletion could be offsetting some of the future benefits of the Montreal Protocol.
Researchers found that coronal jets and CMEs are triggered by magnetic reconnection, a process where stressed filaments break through their magnetic restraints. The study provides a theoretical universal model for solar eruptions, covering all scales from small jets to large CMEs.
A new study in Space Weather suggests that aircrews may experience increased radiation exposure due to weak solar activity, which could impact flight safety and radiation exposure for frequent flyers. Researchers also found auroral activity on Uranus, providing fresh clues about its magnetosphere.
Researchers at the University of Oxford propose a new method to detect radiocarbon spikes in tree-rings, which could accurately date historical events from thousands of years ago. This technique has the potential to revolutionize the study of ancient civilizations and anchor chronologies concerning important world civilisations.
A massive solar storm could disrupt communications satellites, knock out GPS systems, and shut down air travel and lights in millions of homes. The US government is taking the threat seriously, increasing support for research and forecasting to mitigate the impact.
A study by Purdue University researchers found that LED lighting did not negatively affect greenhouse tomato fruit quality and demonstrated a potential alternative to overhead HPS supplementation. Physicochemical measurements showed slight variation among fruits grown under different lighting regimes.
Researchers have imaged a shock and its time evolution during a long-lasting solar flare, demonstrating its role in accelerating particles. The study used the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array to capture over 40,000 individual images per second, revealing the dynamic evolution of the termination shock.
A new NASA-funded investigation found that radiation from solar events is too weak to cause concern at ground level. However, previous research suggested a possible connection between cosmic rays and the rate of birth defects.
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.
The German Meteorological Service sponsors a new professorship to enhance numerical weather forecasting models. Researchers focus on the atmospheric boundary layer, a critical component in predicting extreme weather events like heavy rainfall and near-ground winds for wind farms and solar facilities.
Scientists have observed a significant increase in solar radiation absorbed in the Arctic since 2000, driven by the decline of sea ice. This trend is linked to climate change, with the region experiencing more dramatic warming than anywhere else on Earth.
Researchers found that using clear polyethylene mulch on well-irrigated beds under high tunnel glazing can achieve significant disinfestation of soil pathogens and pests within less than one week. This method requires a combination of daily solar radiation, high temperatures, and low relative humidity.
Researchers from the Niels Bohr Institute used new analytical techniques to reconstruct past temperatures in Greenland ice cores, contradicting a long-held assumption. By analyzing oxygen isotope O18 and nitrogen content, they found that central Greenland was warmer around 12,000 years ago compared to 15,000 years ago.
Researchers recorded record-breaking solar ultraviolet radiation in the Bolivian Andes, significantly higher than normal levels. This extreme radiation is comparable to those found on early Mars and poses a threat to local ecosystems.
Scientists used rediscovered Apollo data to determine lunar dust accumulation rate, finding it builds up 10 times faster than previous estimates. The high rate poses a significant problem for solar cells, which could diminish power supply output.
The ABI will offer faster imaging with much higher detail, enabling more accurate forecasts of severe weather and other hazards. The instrument's improved capabilities will help save lives and protect communities from extreme weather events.
Excessive sunlight inhibits algae growth, leading to yellowish coloration and stress. The study found a direct relationship between solar radiation, antioxidant activity, and C:N ratio in the alga.
Researchers found that UVB exposure activates keratinocyte hyaluronan synthesis through Has3 enzyme, indicating a potential adaptation mechanism to radiation damage. This activation may also be targeted for regulation in tissue malignancy and pre-cancerous alterations.
A recent study published in Science provides insight into radiation hazards for deep space missions, including those to Mars. The research measures radiation exposure on the Curiosity rover's journey to and from Mars, revealing a significant risk to astronauts, with doses potentially exceeding career limits.
The Southwest Research Institute-led Radiation Assessment Detector made detailed measurements of the energetic particle radiation environment inside the spacecraft, providing important insights for future human missions to Mars. The data show an average galactic cosmic ray dose equivalent rate of 1.8 milliSieverts per day in cruise.
A strong X1.2 class solar flare was detected on May 14, 2013, with a non-Earth-directed CME caused by the flare. The CME is traveling at speeds of up to 745 miles per second and may impact spacecraft in its path.
The Extreme Ultraviolet and X-ray Irradiance Sensors (EXIS) will monitor extreme solar energy output from the sun, disrupting telecommunications, air travel, and power grids. The GOES-R satellite is expected to launch in 2015, providing more advanced capabilities and frequent images.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has released a 20-year updated version of the US National Solar Radiation Database, providing critical information for solar system designers. The updated database features improved cloud algorithms and an enhanced State University of New York model for gridded data based on satellite observations.
Astrophysicists at the University of New Hampshire have created PREDICCS, a near-real-time tool predicting space radiation hazards. The system integrates numerical models, real-time measurements, and 'propagation codes' to provide accurate projections out to Mars.
A coronal mass ejection (CME) was released by the sun on October 4, 2012, traveling at approximately 400 miles per second. The CME may affect electronic systems in satellites and on Earth, although major effects have not been observed in the past.