Articles tagged with 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.
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.
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.
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.
A record-breaking X-class flare was observed by four NASA spacecraft and one ground-based observatory on March 29, 2014. The coordinated efforts provided the most comprehensive data set ever collected, shedding light on the origins of solar eruptions and their effects on space weather near Earth.
Astronomers have discovered the coldest known brown dwarf star, located just 7.2 light-years from our solar system. The object, named WISE J085510.83-071442.5, has a temperature between -54 and 9 degrees Fahrenheit, making it even colder than previous record holders.
A mid-level solar flare, peaking at M7-class, was emitted by the sun on April 18, 2014. The radiation burst did not affect humans on Earth but may disturb communications signals and GPS.
Scientists discover the first Earth-size planet in the habitable zone of a different star, confirming that planets like Earth exist elsewhere. The newly discovered planet, Kepler-186f, is 10% larger than Earth and located comfortably in its star's habitable zone, where liquid water could potentially exist on its surface.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a method to produce solar energy materials directly from sunlight, reducing production costs and time. This process uses a continuous flow microreactor to synthesize nanoparticle inks that make solar cells by printing.
A French, American team of researchers has discovered that the regolith of small asteroids is formed by thermal fatigue, a process caused by temperature cycling. This finding challenges previous theories that suggested impacts and micrometeoroid impacts were responsible for creating the asteroid's surface.
A distant dwarf planet, 2012 VP113, has been found to orbit beyond the known edge of the Solar System, challenging our understanding of its boundaries. The discovery suggests an enormous, unseen planet could be influencing the orbits of inner Oort cloud objects.
New research from UT Arlington suggests that F-type stars may be a good place to look for habitable planets due to their wider habitability zone. The study found encouraging results, with some damage estimates similar to those on Earth, if an atmosphere is assumed.
A rapid succession of coronal mass ejections sent a pulse of magnetized plasma towards Earth, potentially causing widespread disruptions to the electrical grid and disabling satellites. Fortunately, the event occurred just nine days too late, narrowly missing the planet.
Scientists used MESSENGER spacecraft images and topographic data to build a comprehensive map of tectonic features on Mercury's surface. The findings indicate the planet has contracted between 4.6 and 7 kilometers in radius over its lifetime.
A mid-level solar flare, classified as an M9.3 flare, was captured by NASA's SDO on March 12, 2014. The flare was emitted by an active region on the sun's surface and may have disturbed Earth's atmosphere and affected GPS signals.
The Hubble Space Telescope has photographed an asteroid, P/2013 R3, breaking apart into as many as ten smaller pieces. The fragments are drifting away from each other at a leisurely 1.5 kilometers per hour, likely due to the Yarkovsky-O'Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack effect.
A powerful solar flare peaked at X4.9-class on Feb. 24, 2014, as observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). The flare emitted giant flashes of light and caused disturbing effects in the layer where GPS and communications signals travel.
On January 28, 2014, NASA's Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) witnessed a strong solar flare, emitting x-rays and light into space. The IRIS mission offers unprecedented resolution to study the sun's lower atmosphere, providing valuable insights into solar flares.
Astronomers using data from NASA's RXTE satellite discovered a dozen cloud events where gas clouds moved across the line of sight, dimming X-ray light produced by supermassive black holes in active galaxies. The study triples previous cloud event counts and provides new insights into the environments around supermassive black holes.
WASP offers sub arc-second accuracy and stability, enabling planetary scientists to study Jupiter and other celestial bodies. The device allows for flexible, standardized support of multiple science payloads, freeing researchers to focus on instrument development.
A mid-level solar flare was emitted by the sun on February 3, 2014, reaching its peak at midnight EST. The NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured images of the event.
The asteroid belt's diverse composition suggests that giant planets' migrations reshaped the solar system, potentially delivering water to Earth and influencing its habitability. Small asteroids show particularly varied compositions, suggesting a complex history of collisions and re-deposition.
Researchers have built a system that converts the sun's energy into hydrogen fuel and stores it for later use, allowing for nighttime power. The 'solar fuels' system uses natural photosynthesis as inspiration and has the potential to be a major piece of the puzzle for a solar energy future.
A newly discovered celestial object, ROXs 42Bb, located nine times the mass of Jupiter and 30 times further away from its star than Jupiter, defies easy categorization as a planet or brown dwarf. This finding blurs the distinction between planets and brown dwarfs, prompting researchers to re-examine formation theories.
A new scientific study by the University of Edinburgh found that variations in heat from the sun do not strongly influence climate change. Volcanic eruptions were the primary cause of periodic changes in climate until 1800, and greenhouse gases have been the main driver since then.
Astronomers have made precise measurements of a failed star system near the Sun, suggesting it harbors a third planetary-mass object. The system, Luhman 16AB, consists of two brown dwarfs with masses between 30 and 50 Jupiter masses.
Comet ISON successfully passed close to the sun, shedding light on its composition and behavior. Despite initial hopes for a bright display, the comet's nucleus likely broke apart due to intense heat, producing limited dust tail observations.
A massive ejection of material from the sun in 2012 could have created a technological disaster if it hit Earth, short-circuiting satellites and power grids. The event highlights the need for society to prepare for severe space weather events.
IRIS has captured detailed images of the interface region between the sun's surface and corona, revealing more violent and turbulent phenomena than previously understood. The mission's observations also provide new insights into solar eruptive events and the dynamics of the low solar atmosphere.
Scientists believe Comet ISON may have been destroyed upon approaching the sun, leaving behind small rubble pieces. Telescopes will observe and detect any remaining fragments to confirm the comet's status.
Comet ISON's size reduced significantly as it approached the sun, with observations revealing a potential debris field and unclear nucleus remnants. The comet's unprecedented observation history will provide valuable data for scientists to study in the years to come.
Researchers carefully measure Comet ISON's brightness to infer its current state, as it approaches perihelion on November 28, 2013. The comet's behavior over several days suggests it may be disintegrating or intact.
Comet ISON, a time capsule from the solar system's formation, will be observed by NASA's solar observing fleet as it approaches the sun. The comet's journey will provide valuable insights into the solar wind and atmosphere.
Researchers unveil an immersive digital experience of Hadrian's Villa, featuring interactive exploration and historically accurate avatars. The virtual world simulation combines scholarly studies with cutting-edge technology to recreate the ancient site.
A significant X-class solar flare occurred on Nov. 19, 2013, peaking at 5:26 a.m. EST, causing disturbances in the atmosphere where GPS and communications signals travel. The flare was classified as an X1.0 class, indicating its intensity.
FORTIS will observe the comet's molecules and atoms by separating incoming light into its component wavelengths, gathering information from several areas at once. The comet's rate of sublimation increases as it approaches the sun, allowing FORTIS to capture observations of this material coming off the comet.
A significant solar flare peaked at 12:14 a.m. EST on Nov. 10, 2013, emitting harmful radiation that disturbed the atmosphere and impacted GPS signals. This X1.1 class flare is part of an active period in the sun's 11-year activity cycle, which has seen several flares since October 23, 2013.
The sun recently emitted a powerful X1.1 flare, disturbing the layer where GPS and communications signals travel. Increased flares are common during the sun's peak activity cycle, which is currently ramping up toward solar maximum conditions.
A new study by Professor Terry Sloan and Professor Sir Arnold Wolfendale found that changes in solar activity had a negligible impact on global temperatures. The researchers compared data on cosmic rays entering the atmosphere with global temperature records, concluding that less than 14% of the twentieth century's warming was attribut...
A significant solar flare peaked at X3.3 on Nov. 5, 2013, affecting GPS and communications signals. The event is part of the sun's 11-year activity cycle ramping up towards solar maximum conditions.
The sun emitted its fourth X-class flare since October 23, 2013, peaking at 5:54 p.m. on October 29, 2013. The X2.3 class flare may disrupt radio signals for hours due to its intense radiation.
The sun continues to produce mid-level and significant solar flares, including an X1.0 flare on Oct. 27 and an M5.1 flare on Oct. 28, potentially impacting Earth's atmosphere and electronic systems. The recent activity is part of the sun's normal 11-year activity cycle.
A mid-level solar flare, classified as an M9.4 event, was observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) on October 23, 2013. This flare had a significant impact on Earth's atmosphere, causing disruptions to radio signals and potentially affecting GPS communications.
Researchers Drs. Michael Hahn and Daniel Wolf Savin found evidence that magnetic waves can heat the corona, depositing most of their energy at low heights for widespread heat distribution. This discovery helps answer a 70-year-old solar physics conundrum about the Sun's extreme corona temperature.
The Sunrise mission revealed complex patterns in the chromosphere, including dark regions and bright points thought to be magnetic flux tubes. The ultraviolet radiation from the chromosphere is highly suitable for visualizing detailed structures and processes.
Scientists tracked energy from the sun to Earth's magnetosphere using eight NASA spacecraft, including ARTEMIS and THEMIS. The research provides insights into substorms and their impact on space weather, with energy flows lasting up to half an hour and covering areas 10 times larger than Earth.
University of Iowa researchers confirm Voyager 1's entry into interstellar space after detecting electron plasma oscillations at a frequency corresponding to an electron density about 40 times greater than expected. The spacecraft is now the most distant human-made object at over 11.6 billion miles from the sun.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new connection between stacked solar cells that can handle high-intensity solar energies without losing voltage. This breakthrough could improve the overall efficiency of solar energy devices and reduce production costs.
Scientists mapping our location in the Milky Way galaxy discover interstellar wind changes over decades, impacting our sun's heliosphere and cosmic radiation protection. The study's findings provide deeper insight into dynamic interstellar winds, crucial for understanding our place in the cosmos.
Data from 11 spacecraft shows a change in the direction of the interstellar wind, which may be due to turbulence near our solar system's edge. The heliosphere could be exposed to different directions of wind as it interacts with the local interstellar cloud.
Research on Chelyabinsk meteorite fragments reveals evidence of intensive melting process, likely caused by a collision or proximity to the Sun. The dark fragments contain spherical 'bubbles' and platinum group elements, which are unusual for their formation time period.
A team of scientists has developed a software that uses pulsar navigation to determine the position and velocity of spacecraft. By observing the timing of pulses from specific pulsars, the software can provide accurate location data for deep-space missions.
Researchers at the University of Maryland say Voyager 1 has entered interstellar space, leaving a 'fuzzily-defined transition zone' behind. The spacecraft crossed the heliopause on July 27, 2012, but its exact location is still debated.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed solar cells that can restore their effectiveness after degradation due to ultraviolet rays. The device uses a microfluidic regeneration system, mimicking the branching networks found in nature, to replenish photoactive molecules and maintain performance.
Scientists predict the sun's magnetic field will reverse in three to four months, affecting space weather and potentially cosmic rays. This change marks the midpoint of Solar Cycle 24, with half of 'solar max' behind and half yet to come.