Articles tagged with Sun
Research finds cyclical variations in Earth's tilt and orbit coincide with 100,000-year changes in Earth's orbit and climate. Volcanic activity at mid-ocean ridges may release carbon dioxide, contributing to climatic shifts.
Researchers developed a microscale solar concentration technology that enables ultra-high efficiency solar cells to be used on rooftops. The system consists of miniaturized photovoltaic cells, 3D-printed lens arrays and a moveable focusing mechanism, reducing size, weight and cost while increasing power generation.
A smartphone app improved some sun protection behaviors, including increased shade use and combined use of all sun protection behaviors. However, there was no significant difference in sunburns between groups. Strategies to increase mobile app usage are needed for effective deployment.
DSCOVR will observe the sun, tracking Coronal Mass Ejections that can affect power grids and communications systems. The satellite will also study the Earth from its unique L1 orbit, providing multi-spectral images and radiation measurements.
The Rosetta mission provided the closest-ever look at comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, revealing its structure, surface features, and composition. The study helps scientists understand how comets form and evolve over time.
A mid-level M5.6-class solar flare occurred on January 12, 2015, emitting powerful bursts of radiation. The flare's intense energy affected Earth's atmosphere in the layer where GPS and communications signals travel.
Astronomers have developed a comprehensive picture of Eta Carinae, including Hubble Space Telescope images showing ionized gas racing away from the star at high speeds. New 3-D models reveal features of the stars' interactions, including spine-like protrusions in the gas flow along the edges of a spiral cavity.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has demonstrated a four-junction solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 45.7%, surpassing previous records in photovoltaic research. The new design uses lattice-mismatched materials to achieve high efficiency and is suitable for concentrator photovoltaic systems.
A significant solar flare, peaking at X1.8-class, occurred on Dec 19, 2014, as observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). The event may disturb the atmosphere in the layer where GPS and communications signals travel, potentially affecting Earth.
A mid-level flare with a magnitude of M6.9-class occurred on December 18, 2014, emitting powerful bursts of radiation. The Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the event, which may affect Earth's atmosphere and GPS/communications signals.
A mid-level solar flare occurred on Dec. 16, 2014, as observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, emitting powerful bursts of radiation. The flare's intensity was classified as M8.7-class, causing disturbance in the atmosphere layer where GPS and communications signals travel.
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has developed a portable solar observatory called SSIPP for use on commercial suborbital spacecraft. The observatory aims to enable cost-effective space-based observation similar to ground-based observatories.
The FOXSI mission will observe high-energy X-rays from the Sun, helping scientists understand solar flares and the sun's atmosphere. By detecting these faint events, researchers aim to confirm the existence of nanoflares, which are thought to occur constantly but are difficult to detect.
A mid-level solar flare, peaking at M6.1-class, was emitted by the sun on Dec. 4, 2014, potentially disturbing Earth's atmosphere. The Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the event, which is classified as a less intense flare compared to X-class flares.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that Blu-ray discs' quasi-random patterns enhance solar cells' light absorption and performance by up to 21.8%. The discovery could lead to new manufacturing methods for efficient solar cells.
Researchers found a 50% increase in UK thunderstorms when the Sun's spiral-shaped magnetic field pointed towards or away from Earth, potentially exposing the upper atmosphere to galactic cosmic rays. This discovery could lead to a reliable lightning forecast system that provides weeks-in-advance warnings of hazardous events.
Asteroid Patroclus-Menoetius has been found to have a non-spherical shape, with axial ratios indicating a mostly oblate shape. The team's analysis also revealed the asteroid pair's spins were faster when they formed, currently in a doubly synchronous state.
A mid-level solar flare was observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) on November 3, 2014, peaking at an M6.5 classification. This event is significant because it can disturb the atmosphere in layers where GPS and communications signals travel.
A substantial X1.6 class solar flare occurred on October 22, 2014, peaking at 10:28 a.m. EDT, as observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. This is the third significant flare from the same region of the sun since October 19, indicating increased solar activity.
The study provides five key findings on the sun's atmosphere, including heat pockets of 200,000 degrees Fahrenheit and structures resembling mini-tornadoes. These discoveries help researchers better understand the sun's energy transfer and dynamic solar activity that impacts technological infrastructure in space and on Earth.
New observations from the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) suggest that miniature solar flares called 'nanoflares' could be partly responsible for heating the Sun's million-degree corona. High-energy electrons generated by these nanoflares may deposit energy in the plasma, leading to coronal heating.
Researchers from PTB have refuted the assumption that radioactive nuclides' decay rate depends on distance from the Sun. Long-term measurements show no seasonal variations or solar influence, contradicting previous US-American findings.
Astronomers discovered a black hole named P13 that is consuming gas from a nearby star 10 times faster than previously thought possible. The black hole is ingesting a weight equivalent to 100 billion billion hot dogs every minute.
Scientists use NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory to study a gigantic filament on the sun, which can last for days or weeks. The filament is 1 million miles wide and appears in different temperatures and wavelengths of extreme UV light.
The NASA Swift satellite detected a series of powerful stellar flares from the nearby red dwarf star DG CVn, with temperatures reaching 360 million degrees Fahrenheit. The flares were triggered by rapid spin and amplifying magnetic fields, making them one of the longest-lasting events ever recorded.
VAULT2.0 will observe light emitted from hydrogen atoms at extreme temperatures to understand coronal heating. The launch allows for six minutes of observations above the atmosphere, capturing images every six to eight seconds.
A team of scientists found that much of Earth's water originated as ices in interstellar space, predating the Sun's birth. This discovery has implications for the potential emergence of life elsewhere in the universe.
Researchers have developed a model that uses self-organised criticality and fluid dynamics to predict the occurrence of solar flares. The model has shown to be consistent with observations in a quantitative sense, enabling scientists to better understand and prepare for these powerful events.
Researchers found that hot Jupiters, large gas giants outside our solar system, can make their suns wobble due to gravitational influence. This phenomenon leads to chaotic spin-axis changes in the star, similar to weather and climate patterns.
A team of researchers from Arizona State University and other institutions will develop computer models of stars to simulate the process of element creation. The project aims to understand the formation of heavier elements in the early universe, shedding light on the universe's evolution and diversity.
A powerful solar flare was detected by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on Sept. 10, 2014, peaking at X1.6 intensity. The flare disturbed the atmosphere in the layer where GPS and communications signals travel.
Brown dwarf W0855, located just four light-years from our Sun, exhibits frozen clouds of sulfide and water in its atmosphere. This breakthrough finding, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, provides crucial insights into the atmospheric composition of exoplanet candidates.
A study published in Nature found that the chemical uniformity of stars in the same cluster is due to turbulent mixing in star-forming clouds. This mixing occurs before much of the gas has turned into stars, resulting in nearly identical chemical signatures among sibling stars.
For the first time, physicists have directly detected neutrinos created by the 'keystone' proton-proton fusion process at the sun's core. The detection was made possible by the Borexino instrument, which detects neutrinos as they interact with an ultra-pure organic liquid scintillator.
Researchers at Lund University found that toothpaste fluorine is formed in stars similar to our sun, supporting a theory about its origins. By analyzing light emitted by stars, they calculated the amount of fluorine present and compared it with predictions.
Researchers have reconstructed solar activity at the end of the last ice age, showing a persistent link between solar activity and Greenland climate. The study suggests that reduced solar activity could lead to colder winters in Northern Europe, while warmer winters are seen in Greenland with greater snowfall.
Researchers have dated the final addition of heavy elements like gold and platinum to the solar system 100 million years before the sun's birth. This discovery has shed light on the sun's prehistory, including the duration of an 'incubation' period that preceded its formation.
Scientists warn of imminent 'solar super-storms' that could cripple critical services like power supplies, transport, and medicine. A predicted Carrington-level event every 150 years poses a significant threat to human health and infrastructure.
A NASA-funded X-ray instrument has confirmed that a region of million-degree interstellar plasma known as the local hot bubble is the main source of a foggy glow observed over the entire sky. The study also establishes upper limits on soft X-rays produced within our planetary system by solar wind.
An international research team has shown that the soft X-ray glow blanketing the sky originates from both inside and outside the solar system. The bulk of the radiation comes from a local hot bubble of gas in our galactic neighborhood, while the solar wind contributes up to 40 percent.
Research identifies four proteins that increase with age, making brain connections more rigid and reducing ability to adapt. The findings may lead to new treatments for learning disorders and memory loss in neurodegenerative diseases.
Scientists have discovered that greater mouse-eared bats use polarization patterns in the sky to navigate, calibrating their internal magnetic compass. The bats' ability to detect polarised light remains a mystery, but researchers hope this breakthrough will aid in protecting declining bat populations.
Researchers have developed a self-cooling method for solar cells using silica glass to reduce overheating, improving efficiency and lifespan. The design enhances infrared 'window' through Earth's atmosphere to redirect excess heat away from the solar cell.
Astronomers have used a new technique to measure the ages of 22 Sun-like stars, revealing properties similar to our Sun. The study's lead author found 'solar twins' that can be studied to predict planetary system evolution.
Scientists will measure sun's total energy output using new 'degradation-free' instruments, eliminating calibration drift. The Degradation Free Spectrometers experiment aims to demonstrate the flight-readiness of these innovative tools.
Researchers used extensive observations to develop the first high-resolution 3D model of the Homunculus Nebula, confirming features like arm-like protrusions and trenches. The new model suggests intense interactions between Eta Carinae's stars played a significant role in shaping the nebula.
Scientists have discovered the corona extends far beyond previous observations, with implications for NASA's Solar Probe Plus mission. Direct measurements of the heliosphere's inner boundary provide new insights into solar particle behavior and the origin of the solar wind.
The GOES-R satellite's solar array provides a stable platform to track the sun's movement, powering critical instruments like EXIS and ABI. The advanced spacecraft will result in more timely and accurate weather forecasts, enhancing public safety and economic health.
Comet Siding Spring is producing about 2 billion water molecules per second, equivalent to filling an Olympic-size pool in 14 hours. The icy nucleus is estimated to be around 2,300 feet across, placing it at the lower end of a size range.
Two low-cost, car battery-sized Canadian nanosatellites are part of the BRITE-Constellation project, monitoring brightness and color variations of brightest stars. The satellites will uncover clues about star origins, including our Sun and Earth.
The sun experienced three X-class flares in two days, with the third flare peaking at 5:06 a.m. EDT on June 11, 2014. The solar activity was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and originated from an active region on the sun.
A powerful solar flare with a peak intensity of an X2.2 classification was observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on June 10, 2014. The flare caused disturbances in the atmosphere layer affecting GPS and communications signals.
Astronomers have discovered two new planets orbiting a nearby ancient star, Kapteyn's Star, which is just 13 light years away from Earth. One planet, Kapteyn b, is thought to be warm enough to support liquid water on its surface, while the second, Kapteyn c, is a more massive super-Earth with uncertain habitability.
Scientists have detected two planets orbiting Kapteyn's star, one of which could support liquid water and potentially harbor life. The discovery was made using HARPS spectrometer data and reveals a third of the mass of the Sun.
Researchers found that planets between 1.7 and 3.9 times the size of Earth are dubbed 'gas dwarfs' with thick atmospheres of hydrogen and helium. The study also revealed that metallicity plays a crucial role in determining planetary composition, with stars hosting gas giants containing about 50% more metals than our Sun.
Two planets in the Kepler-56 system will meet their fate when they are dragged into the star's expanding orbit. The inner planets will be destroyed due to tidal forces and intense heat from the growing star.
The Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) successfully observed a gigantic coronal mass ejection (CME) on May 9, 2014. The spacecraft caught the event in extraordinary detail, revealing its unprecedented size and structure.
The Solar Ultraviolet Imager and Extreme Ultraviolet and X-ray Irradiance Sensors have completed integration with the GOES-R spacecraft, enabling it to observe sun and space weather. This development enhances the prediction capabilities of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, aiding in understanding and mitigating space weather impa...
University of Leicester researchers captured stunning images of Saturn's auroras, providing evidence for the theory that Saturn's magnetic tail collapse causes auroral displays. The findings support a similar process on Earth.
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured a mid-level solar flare on May 8, 2014. The M5.2-class flare is considered weaker than intense X-class flares, but can still disturb the atmosphere and impact GPS and communications signals.