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Kissing the sun: Unraveling mysteries of the solar wind

A University of Arizona-led research team has measured the dynamics and ever-changing hot gas shell from where the solar wind originates. The study helps scientists answer fundamental questions about energy and matter moving through the heliosphere, affecting space weather events and planetary orbits.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

NRL plasma physicist elevated to IEEE Fellow

Arati Dasgupta, a leading atomic and plasma physicist at NRL, has been elevated to IEEE Fellow for her groundbreaking research in high-energy density plasmas, atomic physics, and radiation materials. Her work has significantly advanced our understanding of extreme environments and their applications.

The black hole M87*: What has changed in one year

The EHT Collaboration unveils a new analysis of the supermassive black hole at the heart of galaxy M87, combining observations from 2017 and 2018. The study confirms the presence of a luminous ring with a shifted brightest region, indicating turbulent accretion disk dynamics.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Explanation found for X-ray radiation from black holes

The study found that chaotic movements in magnetic fields heat plasma and make it radiate, explaining the observed X-ray radiation from accretion disks. The simulation also showed that plasma can exist in two distinct equilibrium states, depending on external radiation field.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Pair plasmas found in deep space can now be generated in the lab

Researchers at University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics have developed a novel way to experimentally produce plasma 'fireballs' on Earth, generating high-density relativistic electron-positron pair plasmas. This breakthrough enables follow-up experiments that could yield fundamental discoveries about the universe.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Milky Way black hole’s magnetic field mapped for first time

Researchers used a powerful framework called THEMIS to generate clear images of the Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) black hole, revealing its plasma ring and magnetic field lines. The study provides strong evidence for the need of strong magnetic fields in the accretion disk to push accreting plasma around.

Plasma oscillations propel breakthroughs in fusion energy

Researchers discovered a new class of plasma oscillations that can exhibit extraordinary features, enabling innovative advancements in particle acceleration and fusion. This finding has significant implications for achieving clean-burning commercial fusion energy.

Astrophysical jet caught in a “speed trap”

The H.E.S.S. Observatory detected gamma-ray emission from the outer jets of SS 433, revealing a shift in energy-dependent morphology. This suggests strong shock acceleration, where high-energy particles collide with photons, producing x-ray radiation and explaining the X-ray reappearance of the jets.

Vast bubble of galaxies discovered, given Hawaiian name

Researchers discovered a massive structure, Hoʻoleilana, with a diameter of one billion light years, which is larger than predicted by the Big Bang theory. The bubble-like structure encompasses several well-known galaxy clusters and voids, including the Boötes Supercluster.

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.

New clues on the source of the universe’s magnetic fields

Scientists have long debated the source of magnetic fields in the universe. New research by Columbia University researchers suggests that turbulent plasma can spontaneously generate these fields, which then amplify and spread across vast distances.

Astronomers reveal new features of galactic black holes

An international team of scientists has detected a quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) signal in the radio band from a Galactic black hole system, revealing features that have never been seen before. The QPO signal may provide the first evidence of activity from a jet launched by a Galactic stellar-mass black hole.

When ET calls, can we be sure we're not being spoofed?

Researchers at Breakthrough Listen project have devised a new technique for finding and vetting possible radio signals from other civilizations. The technique eliminates the possibility of signal being mere radio interference from Earth, boosting confidence in future detection of alien life.

A simulation finds solutions to a central mystery in space physics

The Vlasiator model demonstrated that two central theories on plasma eruptions in near-Earth space are simultaneously valid: magnetic reconnection and kinetic instabilities. This finding helps understand how these events occur and improves the predictability of space weather.

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.

The mechanism of cosmic magnetic fields explored in the laboratory

Researchers create a hydrogen plasma with known temperature anisotropy, demonstrating the Weibel instability and its potential to seed galactic dynamo magnetic fields. The study uses a novel experimental platform to measure the complex topology of generated magnetic fields.

How did the Butterfly Nebula get its wings? It’s complicated

The Butterfly Nebula's unique shape is caused by a second star orbiting the central star, creating wing-like lobes. New research reveals powerful winds are altering the material within these lobes, contradicting existing models of planetary nebulae formation and evolution.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Unraveling a perplexing explosive process that occurs throughout the universe

Scientists have simulated a way to create and observe the early stages of fast radio bursts, a mysterious phenomenon that releases enormous energy in space. The proposed experiment uses a strong laser to produce pair plasma, which is then shifted to a higher frequency, demonstrating the prospects for laboratory production and observation.

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.

A roadmap for deepening understanding of a puzzling universal process

Researchers propose multiple plasmoids could bridge the vast range of scales in magnetic reconnection, enabling more credible simulations and high-fidelity experiments. The coming experiments will use exascale supercomputers and multiscale laboratory facilities to study reconnection in nature more faithfully.

Researchers unravel the inner workings of heat conduction in galaxy clusters

A team of researchers used the National Ignition Facility (NIF) to create a laboratory replica of galaxy-cluster plasmas, discovering strong suppression of heat conduction in these turbulent environments. The experiments provide insight into complex physics processes and raise additional questions that may be answered in future studies.

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.

Cosmic rays may be key to understanding galactic dynamics

Recent studies suggest that cosmic rays, originating from supernova remnants and pulsars, have a significant impact on galactic dynamics and star formation. The streaming instability triggered by cosmic rays in the interstellar medium can create plasma waves that heat and scatter gas, influencing the formation of planets and stars.

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.

Magnetic ‘balding’ of black holes saves general relativity prediction

A team of researchers from the Flatiron Institute and Princeton University has found that the magnetic field around a black hole quickly decays when surrounded by plasma. This process, known as 'magnetic reconnection,' rapidly drains the magnetic field and could explain flares seen near supermassive black holes.

Investigating dense plasmas with positron waves

A new study assesses the dynamics of positron acoustic waves in electron-positron-ion plasmas under magnetic fields, finding compressive and rarefactive solitary waves. The team's results provide insight into magnetoplasma behavior in astrophysical contexts, such as solar winds and auroral acceleration regions.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Twisting magnetic fields for extreme plasma compression

Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered a method to stabilize plasma compression using twisted magnetic fields. The technique reduced escaping plasma tentacles by 70% and improved conditions for studying extreme plasma states.

Magneto-inertial fusion experiment nears completion

The Plasma Liner Experiment is testing a novel plasma fusion concept while providing insights into the physics of colliding plasma jets. Experiments are also helping to validate simulations crucial for understanding and developing other controlled fusion schemes.

Exploding electrical wires underwater to understand shock waves

Researchers from the Technion Israel Institute of Technology used exploding electrical wires underwater to generate shock waves, revealing a slower decay rate than predicted by previous models. The findings support a simplified model that accurately describes the relationship between shock wave evolution and wire expansion.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Turbulence in space might solve astrophysical mystery

Researchers at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory found that plasma turbulence could amplify magnetic fields to dynamical strengths in a hot, dilute plasma, such as those residing within clusters of galaxies. This discovery provides a possible answer to one of the most important unsolved problems in plasma astrophysics.

Seth Davidovits wins 2018 Marshall N. Rosenbluth dissertation award

Davidovits won the award for his outstanding thesis research on turbulence in compressing fluids and plasma, with a focus on novel mechanisms and applications in inertial-confinement-fusion and astrophysical plasmas. His work has significant implications for plasma physics research.

Chaotic magnetic field lines may answer the coronal heating problem

Researchers in India used numerical computations to investigate the role of chaotic magnetic field lines in generating intense electric current sheets, which are potential sites for extreme heating of the sun's corona. The simulations found a direct proportionality between the intensity of the current sheet and chaoticity.

Understanding nature's patterns with plasmas

A new experiment reproduces nature's patterns with a specially designed system called an H-shaped dielectric barrier discharge system. The system produces filaments of discharge plasma that can assume vast ranges of patterns in 3D, allowing scientists to explore complex mechanisms behind nature's diverse designs.

A new explanation for the explosive nature of magnetic reconnection

Researchers at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have discovered a new mechanism that speeds up magnetic reconnection, providing new insights into this complex astrophysical process. The model predicts a novel regime in which fast reconnection rates appear independent of system resistivity.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Wave power could contain fusion plasma

Researchers at the University of Warwick have confirmed a longstanding prediction that high-energy alpha particles will be key to generating fusion power in next-generation tokamaks. They found that LH waves, often used externally, can occur naturally in fusion plasmas and help exploit alpha particle energy.

Astrophysical jets in the lab

Caltech researchers use magnetic forces to create jet-like structures in a hydrogen plasma experiment, shedding light on the formation of astrophysical jets. The study involves running high electrical currents through a cylindrical metal chamber, producing spiral-shaped plumes similar to those observed in space.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.