Articles tagged with Planet Earth
University of Iowa professor Jack Scudder and colleagues have observed a milestone discovery in astrophysics: the first experimentally resolved site of collision in magnetic reconnection. This process links magnetic field lines from the sun to the Earth's core, allowing charged particles to cross previously forbidden boundaries.
A rare ground level enhancement (GLE) event was triggered by a May 17, 2012 M-class flare. Scientists are excited to analyze data from the PAMELA mission, which measured high-energy solar particles that caused the GLE.
A University of Tennessee professor has helped reveal a rare orbital shift and the density of an asteroid that will pass close to Earth. The asteroid, 1999 RQ36, has a low density and its orbit has drifted roughly 100 miles in the last 12 years due to the Yarkovsky effect.
Scientists have discovered that the moon's presence affects the solar wind, creating turbulence and changes in direction and density. Computer simulations explain this phenomenon by showing an electric field near the lunar surface generated by sunlight and solar wind flow.
Scientists with the OSIRIS-REx mission have measured the orbit of asteroid 1999 RQ36 with great accuracy, directly determining the drift resulting from the Yarkovsky effect. The asteroid has deviated from its gravity-ruled orbit by roughly 100 miles in the last 12 years due to this subtle force.
A recent study proposes that up to 100,000 nomad planets might exist in the Milky Way Galaxy for every star, with an estimated quadrillion number of total nomads. If confirmed, this could mean nomad planets play a significant role in the universe.
Researchers at Princeton University report that a sharp drop in mantle melting 2.5 billion years ago coincided with the Great Oxygenation Event, allowing free oxygen molecules to proliferate. The study suggests that diminished mantle melting decreased the output of reactive gases into the atmosphere.
Researchers aim to understand how much space dust reaches the Earth's surface, estimating it could be as high as 300 tonnes per day. The project will also explore cosmic dust's interaction with clouds causing ozone depletion and its potential impact on climate models.
Researchers at Caltech have created a dynamic computer model that reproduces the physics of a fault segment, showing both seismic and aseismic behavior. The model predicts changes in earthquake frequency and location, shedding light on the seismic cycle and potential forecasting of earthquakes.
A new essay examines what constitutes 'life' and the probability of discovering new life forms. Professor Gerald Joyce argues that a truly new life form would arise through chemistry, not biology, and that humans long for intelligent life in the universe.
A study by Carnegie's Alan Boss and team found that hot-Jupiter planets' early movements likely disrupted the formation of Earth-like planets near them. The researchers analyzed data from NASA's Kepler mission to discover potential companions of these hot-Jupiter planets.
Researchers found four white dwarfs with dust from shattered planetary bodies containing oxygen, magnesium, iron, and silicon, similar to the Earth's composition. The study provides evidence of a 'terminal phase' in the death of rocky exoplanets, potentially shedding light on their destruction process.
Researchers found a specific enzyme, 5-lipoxygenase, linked to microgravity-induced cell death in astronauts, which may lead to therapeutics for aging-related immune problems. The discovery could also benefit the elderly on Earth by bolstering their immune systems.
Researchers have discovered a series of ancient rock layers containing impact debris from massive asteroids that struck Earth over 3.8-1.7 billion years ago. The findings suggest an intense period of asteroid bombardment, with some impacts rivaling those that created the largest craters on the Moon.
The NASA visualization brings back the iconic 'Earthrise' photograph, taken by Apollo 8 astronauts in 1968. The image captures the moon's surface and the Earth's vibrant colors, showcasing the planet's beauty and fragility. The recreation uses detailed maps gathered by LRO and was funded by NASA's Science Mission Directorate.
Researchers detect faint, short-lived glowing dots on Uranus' dayside using Hubble Space Telescope. The unusual appearance of the auroras is attributed to Uranus' rotational weirdness and magnetic field's peculiar traits.
The ALMA observatory has discovered a nearby planetary system with sharp-edged dust ring, indicating 'shepherding' planets that keep the disk within their gravitational effect. The planets are smaller than previously thought, about the size of Mars to a few times the Earth, and are among the coldest planets found orbiting a normal star.
The IBEX and TWINS missions observed a solar storm on April 5, 2010, revealing the impact on Earth's magnetosphere. The data provides insights into how solar energy affects the magnetosphere, enabling better protection for satellites against space weather hazards.
Astronomers at the University of Florida have discovered two low-mass planets orbiting the nearby star Fomalhaut. Using ALMA's superior resolution and sensitivity, they found that the ring of dust surrounding the star is shaped by two planets working together to maintain its narrow width.
Astronomers have identified two 11- to 12-billion-year-old white dwarf stars, the oldest and closest known to Earth. Located 100 light years away, these stars are believed to be among the first formed in the Universe soon after the Big Bang.
A new study by Rice University scientists found that nature conspires to keep most of Earth's copper buried dozens of miles below ground. The researchers examined arc magmas and discovered sulfides, which are minerals containing reduced forms of sulfur bonded to metals like copper.
Researchers propose that thawing permafrost 50 million years ago released massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, triggering global warming events. The study suggests a simple new mechanism for past global warming events and highlights the potential for similar feedback loops in modern times.
Researchers reconstruct global surface temperatures and find that average temperature correlated with rising CO2 levels, indicating the greenhouse effect played a key role in ending the last Ice Age. The study provides evidence that CO2 caused much of the global warming, contrasting previous efforts that only examined local temperatures.
The declaration warns that humanity is driving the planet into a new epoch, the Anthropocene, where human activities dominate planetary processes. The conference calls for urgent action and proposes new initiatives to promote global sustainability, including a new framework for development goals and a UN Sustainable Development Council.
University of Missouri anthropologist Robert Benfer has identified numerous earthen animal effigy mounds in coastal Peru, dating back to 4,000 years ago. The mounds exhibit astronomical orientations, aligning with celestial events such as the Milky Way and summer solstices.
A recent chemical analysis of lunar material and Earth samples suggests that the moon was formed solely from the Earth, contradicting the widely held theory of a giant collision. The research found identical titanium isotopic compositions between the moon and Earth, indicating a single parentage.
Researchers used fossilized raindrop impressions to deduce atmospheric pressure at 2.7 billion years ago. The results suggest that abundant greenhouse gases likely caused the warm temperatures, contradicting previous theories about pressure broadening.
Comet impacts may have delivered the building blocks of life to Earth, with amino acids forming peptide bonds despite intense heat and shock. This research provides further support for the comet delivery scenario, suggesting multiple deliveries of seedlings of life through comets, asteroids, and meteorites.
The TWINS and IBEX spacecraft observed a powerful solar storm impacting the Earth's magnetosphere, causing an important communications satellite to founder. The ENA cameras enabled global imaging of the magnetosphere, revealing precise timing of the compression and propagation of charged particles into the atmosphere.
Future Earth, a 10-year initiative, will unify and scale up existing global environmental change activities to deliver solution-oriented research in partnership with society. The platform aims to address critical social and environmental challenges through interdisciplinary research.
Key indicators of the planet's state include higher carbon dioxide levels, rising air and ocean temperatures, melting sea ice and permafrost, and biodiversity loss. Scientists warn that if trends are not reversed, critical thresholds will be pushed beyond, leading to catastrophic consequences.
A NASA-sponsored researcher found that a melt-rich layer under the Pacific Ocean basin is not the only mechanism allowing continents to gradually shift their position. This discovery sheds new light on plate tectonics, providing insight into the movement of Earth's crustal plates over millions of years.
Researchers found that future generations will have to deal with sea levels 12-22 meters (40-70 feet) higher than at present, even if global warming is limited to 2 degrees C. The study suggests that the Earth's great ice sheets are highly sensitive to temperature change and could lead to a large sea-level rise.
A new study reveals that the Earth's early atmosphere periodically transitioned between a hydrocarbon-rich state and a haze-free environment due to microbial activity. This 'see-sawing' phenomenon had a profound impact on the climate system, with evidence suggesting a significant role in regulating atmospheric oxygen levels.
A group of environmental scholars recommends transforming national and international institutions into a more coherent planetary stewardship model. The proposal includes reforms to the UN system, integrating social and economic pillars of sustainable development, and closing regulatory gaps on emerging technologies.
Scientists have discovered an invisible wave interacting with Jupiter's jet streams, revealing a connection to Earth's atmosphere and influencing the planet's weather. The Cassini spacecraft's high-resolution images showed the wave's oscillation, tied to Rossby waves and gravity inertia waves.
Researchers found that the Moon's synchronous rotation with Earth is due to its geophysical properties, not a result of chance. The near side of the Moon resembles the Man in the Moon due to volcanic material, while the far side has higher mountainous regions.
Caltech researchers found that the man in the moon's face is not just a coincidence, but rather a result of the moon's slowed-down rotation rate. The side with the man facing Earth had about two-to-one odds of being visible due to the dissipation rate of the moon's rotational energy.
Scientists at University of Copenhagen have reconstructed the isotopic composition of 3.8 billion-year-old seawater, revealing that young planet's oceans had proportionately more 'normal water' than 'heavy water'. This discovery suggests Earth has lost less than ¼ of its water budget over the last roughly 4 billion years.
Scientists have found evidence of 'hot flow anomalies' on Venus, which are similar to those observed on Earth. These events release massive energy and can even deflect the solar wind back towards the sun.
Astronomers use VLT to analyze earthshine light, detecting biosignatures of vegetation and ocean cover, suggesting life on Earth. The study establishes a benchmark for future exoplanet life searches using spectropolarimetry technique.
The article explores the latest advances in earthquake forecasting, including probabilistic methods and visualization techniques. Despite limitations, these approaches provide valuable information for predicting earthquakes and can help reduce uncertainty.
Marin Clark's study challenges the long-held theory of plate tectonics by suggesting that mantle strength, not mountain height, is the key factor controlling convergence. The Indian sub-continent will halt its collision with Eurasia in about 20 million years due to the strong uppermost mantle beneath Tibet and the Himalayas.
A new computer simulation has identified the source of high-speed electrons responsible for auroras, solving a long-standing astrophysical puzzle. The simulation reveals that an active region in Earth's magnetotail can accelerate many electrons, explaining observed features detected by spacecraft missions.
Scientists at Oregon State University have discovered a process where salty soils in the McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica can absorb moisture from the air. This phenomenon has implications for the potential for life on Mars, as similar conditions are present on the Red Planet.
A recent study analyzed the photospheric stellar abundances of planet-host stars, uncovering a wide variety of terrestrial planet compositions. The results suggest that extrasolar planets may be significantly different from Earth due to variations in elemental ratios and planetary formation processes.
NASA is upgrading its Global Positioning System (GPS) and International Terrestrial Reference Frame to improve location accuracy. The new systems will benefit not only GPS but also observations of Earth from space, enabling more precise measurements of the planet's shape, orientation, and gravity field.
Researchers from UNH's Space Science Center launched a NASA rocket into the Aurora to measure electric and magnetic fields in Earth's upper atmosphere. The mission aims to shed light on the physical processes that create the northern lights and understand how energy from the sun accelerates aurora production.
These powerful telescopes enable forefront research in astrophysics, unlocking the secrets of star- and planet-formation processes. The new facilities will study gas and dust motion around young stars, testing theories of planet formation.
The THEMIS mission has significantly advanced our understanding of the magnetosphere, mapping the topology and structure of the Earth's magnetic field. The satellites have also detected critical mechanisms driving substorms, including dipolarization fronts and chorus waves, which influence aurora formation.
The Transportable Array has reached the US East Coast with the installation of Station 457A in Yulee, Florida. This station generates 3-D 'CT scan' images of the North American continent's geologic structure, providing unprecedented detail about Earth's interior.
Researchers analyze light echoes from the 1837-1858 Great Eruption of Eta Carinae, revealing unexpected results and forcing them to modify physical models. The study provides a unique look at the outburst, shedding light on the behavior of massive stars near detonation.
A new study led by CU-Boulder shows that global glaciers and ice caps are shedding roughly 150 billion tons of ice annually, contributing to sea level rise. This is equivalent to losing about 39 cubic miles of ice from 2003 to 2010.
Researchers from UNH's Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping used multibeam echo sounders to map the entire Mariana Trench, discovering four bridges spanning its depth of 10,994 meters. The bridges are thought to be formed by the collision of tectonic plates, providing new insights into Earth's complex geology.
The CERES instrument has begun scanning Earth, providing a long-term record of the energy balance and helping scientists understand climate change. The satellite's data will aid in monitoring minute changes in the Earth's energy budget, which is critical for understanding how human activities impact the planet.
A team of scientists has detected a potentially habitable super-Earth orbiting a nearby M-class dwarf star called GJ 667C. The planet receives 90% of the light that Earth receives and is expected to absorb similar amounts of energy, which could lead to surface temperatures similar to those on Earth.
A recent potent follow-up solar flare delivered a powerful radiation punch to Earth's magnetic field due to existing energetic particles and a magnetic connection. This highlights the potential for space weather events to disrupt daily life and pose risks to astronauts, despite not being in direct path.
A new NASA study finds that Earth's energy budget remained out of balance despite unusually low solar activity between 2005 and 2010. The planet continued to absorb more energy than it returned to space, with carbon dioxide levels needing to be reduced to restore equilibrium.
Researchers used data from orbiting spacecraft to discover that energetic electrons are swept away by solar wind particles during periods of heightened solar activity. The findings aim to improve predictions of geomagnetic storms and protect satellites and astronauts.
The Space Weather Laboratory will implement ensemble forecasting, producing up to 100 computerized forecasts simultaneously, improving the reliability of space weather alerts. This new capability is crucial for protecting astronauts and NASA spacecraft from potential harm during periods of increased solar activity.