Articles tagged with Observational Astronomy
Scientists observed unusual transpolar auroral arcs during a geomagnetic storm in January 1997, contradicting existing models of the magnetosphere. The phenomenon was caused by energy propagating towards the dayside along the arc, indicating dynamic events in the magnetosphere.
A new study by Ohio State University researcher Jay Frogel warns that El Niño events can change atmospheric data by up to 2 percent, affecting precise astronomical measurements. This alteration occurs due to the increased water content in the atmosphere during El Niño events.
Astronomers worldwide are gathering data from comet Hale-Bopp with a festival of observations, revealing secrets about comets' composition and behavior. The raw material will construct the most intricate portrait of a comet to date, providing insights into the early solar system.
Scientists capture high-resolution images of Neptune's clouds and their movement, providing fresh insight into the planet's extraordinary weather. The observations reveal a powerful equatorial jet stream and storms dwarfing Earth's most violent storms.
The Compton Observatory detected the brightest gamma-ray burst in its five and a half year mission, releasing as much energy in tens of seconds as the Sun will produce in ten-billion-year lifetime. The burst is rare and may contain information about sources that cannot be extracted from weaker events.