Articles tagged with Sun
NASA's models predict two CMEs will impact Earth and Mars, causing severe geomagnetic storms and aurora at low latitudes. The flares, part of the sun's normal 11-year solar cycle, were triggered by an active region named AR 1429.
A new model, published by Anne Hofmeister and Robert Criss, presents a three-dimensional gas cloud scenario for planetary accretion. The model explains planetary orbits and spins without relying on heat production, conserving angular momentum in a cold environment.
Researchers are developing an artificial 'leaf' that can convert sunlight into liquid fuel, and optimizing natural photosynthesis through enzyme engineering. The goal is to improve crop yields and create a sustainable carbon-neutral economy.
Researchers Auna Moser and Paul Bellan observed a surprising phenomenon in lab experiments that provides clues to the origin of solar flares. The discovery reveals a connection between kink instability and Rayleigh-Taylor instability, which are two distinct phenomena occurring at different scales.
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.
Two new planets, Kepler-34 and Kepler-35, have been discovered orbiting binary suns in the Cygnus constellation. The discovery indicates that planets can revolve around double stars, challenging our understanding of solar systems.
The IBEX team has analyzed samples of captured interstellar neutral atoms, providing insights into the formation of new stars, planets, and human beings. The findings also reveal that the solar system is still in a local interstellar cloud and will transition to a different region within a few thousand years.
Researchers using IBEX data measure neutral 'alien' particles entering our solar system, revealing their speed, direction, and interaction with the heliosphere. The findings provide insights into the local interstellar medium, galaxy distribution of elements like oxygen and neon, and the future trajectory of the Sun's planetary system.
Researchers found oxygen molecules remain stable up to 1.9 terapascals, then polymerize, showing unique electrical conductivity patterns. The molecule's behavior is influenced by its double covalent bond and lone pairs, which repel other molecules and hinder polymerization.
Scientists at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have created a 2-million-degree piece of matter using the world's most powerful X-ray laser. This achievement takes them a significant step forward in understanding extreme matter found in stars and giant planets, potentially leading to advancements in nuclear fusion research.
The NRL SoloHI instrument will study coronal mass ejections and their effects on the solar wind, impacting power lines, satellite communications, and cell phone service. The Solar Orbiter mission will provide scientists with increased understanding of the Sun's influence on its environment and the solar dynamo.
A comet was caught doing something never seen before: dying a scorching death as it flew too close to the sun. The comet's size and mass were estimated to be between 150-300 feet long, with its core evaporating in intense heat.
Scientists have discovered two new circumbinary planets, Kepler-34b and Kepler-35b, orbiting two stars in the constellation Cygnus. The discovery suggests that planets with two suns are common, potentially existing in millions in the Galaxy. This finding sheds light on the formation of these unique planetary systems.
The Cygnus X region is home to thousands of massive stars and many more stars around the size of our sun or smaller. Infrared data from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope reveals a complex of star-forming clouds, with bubbles carved out by radiation and winds from massive stars.
Astronomers have discovered two Earth-sized planets, KOI 55.01 and KOI 55.02, that survived the red-giant expansion of their host star, KIC 05807616. The planets are extremely close to their host star and experience harsh temperatures up to 16,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Solar Heliophysics Observatory (SOHO) has discovered a new Kreutz-family comet, C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy), through ground-based telescope observations. This is the first time a Kreutz comet has been found in this way since the 1970s, providing scientists with an opportunity to study it before it moves into view of space-based telescopes.
Researchers have discovered two massive black holes, each with a mass equivalent to 10 billion suns, in nearby galaxies. These 'sleeping giants' are thought to be remnants of quasars that powered the early universe.
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter recorded the total lunar eclipse on Dec. 10, 2011, providing insights into the moon's surface cooling during the event. The West Coast saw totality, while East Coasts experienced a slight dimming of the moon.
Astronomers have found two massive black holes, each with a mass of 10 billion suns, in nearby galaxies. These 'sleeping giants' are thought to be remnants of quasars that powered matter into black holes in the early universe.
Researchers have developed a cheap material to store solar-heated energy, releasing it slowly at night to keep homes warm without fossil fuels. The phase change material blends paraffin wax and stearic acid, which can be stored in small spherical capsules.
Researchers have found the largest batch of young, supermassive stars yet observed in our galaxy, including dozens of massive blue stars. The intense light emitted by these newborn stars has carved out a glowing hollow shell around them, offering a unique opportunity to study energy transmission and star formation.
Despite predictions of a giant solar flare, NASA confirms it's physically impossible to destroy Earth. In fact, scientists have studied the sun's activity for millennia with no harm.
Researchers used NASA's Shuttle Radar Topography Mission data to create a model that takes elevation into account, improving predictions of solar power output in California. The model, made available publicly, provides more realistic estimates for utility companies and homeowners.
A team of astronomers has discovered three new planets and a mystery object orbiting giant, dying stars. The research provides insights into the evolution of planetary systems around these stars and how metal content influences their behavior.
The Borexino instrument has measured the flux of beryllium seven (7Be) solar neutrinos with high precision, allowing for a detailed study of their behavior. This advance confirms predictions of neutrino oscillations, flavor changes, and flow predicted by models of the sun and particle physics.
Researchers at Princeton University and NYU have developed a method to detect the collision of stars with primordial black holes, which are believed to be a source of dark matter. The new technique uses existing solar observation methods to identify subtle vibrations in a star's surface caused by a passing black hole.
Researchers have detected stellar oscillations in a hotter star, revealing insights into its internal structure and composition. The discovery was made possible by the Kepler space telescope and provides new information on the processes that govern stellar behavior.
Researchers found 15% of flares have a late phase with increased energy output. This discovery could improve predictions of space weather affecting Earth's communications and GPS signals.
X-class flares are the largest explosions in the solar system, producing as much energy as a billion hydrogen bombs. These powerful events can cause long-lasting radiation storms that harm satellites, communications systems, and ground-based technologies.
Researchers have discovered that certain grape extracts can protect human epidermis cells from UV radiation-induced cell damage and death. The study found that flavonoids in grapes inhibit the formation of reactive oxygen species, leading to a protective effect against UV radiation.
The comet's water production in 2010 was three times less than in 1997, with a sudden increase of hydrogen signatures detected by SWAN. This observation challenges standard models of comet behavior and highlights the need for further analysis to understand the underlying causes.
Scientists with NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) have tracked Alfvén waves carrying more energy than previously thought, which could drive the intense heating of the corona and solar winds. The study confirms that these waves may be part of a mechanism supplying a huge reservoir of energy at the sun's surface.
Researchers use old mathematical techniques and insights on CMEs to devise a fresh way to measure magnetic fields in the sun's upper atmosphere. By spotting a diffuse ring around a CME, they can determine the strength of the magnetic field using Alfvén speed.
Scientists have discovered a pair of white dwarfs that are spiraling into each other at breakneck speeds, allowing them to test Einstein's theory of general relativity. The merger could also shed light on the origin of underluminous supernovae.
Researchers from the University of Manchester and consortium partners are working on harnessing solar energy to produce hydrogen fuel. The technology has potential to revolutionize energy usage in the coming decades by creating clean, green fuels.
A team of astronomers using NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope observed a unique binary system that produced dual gamma-ray flares during its closest approach. The flares were many times stronger than expected and occurred despite the star following an eccentric orbit, making them only visible every 3.4 years.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have created a tandem solar cell based on colloidal quantum dots, which can convert a broader range of sunlight into electricity. This breakthrough aims to increase efficiency and reduce costs for solar cells.
A team of students has developed a system that harnesses heat from the sun and attic to operate a clothes dryer, reducing electricity bills by up to 16 percent. The system is expected to save homeowners nearly $6,500 in 20 years, with additional energy savings through space heating applications.
Researchers at George Mason University have discovered a phenomenon called magnetic ropes, which are believed to trigger solar storms. These rope-like structures heat up to extreme temperatures and can produce a strong electric current that powers the eruption.
Scientists have discovered 'surfer' waves in the sun's corona, which could help explain why it's thousands of times hotter than expected. The waves were captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and are thought to be caused by Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities.
Jupiter's Grand Tack model reveals the planet's youthful travels profoundly impacted the solar system. The giant planet's migration toward and away from the sun altered the nature of the asteroid belt, making Mars smaller than expected. The new model suggests Jupiter perturbed objects in the asteroid belt instead of destroying it.
The CoGeNT experiment has detected a seasonal signal variation in its data, consistent with the predictions of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs). The team is cautious, as the signal could be due to random fluctuations or experimental errors.
Case Western Reserve University is partnering with industry to improve solar energy technologies' productive lifetime. The S-Durability and Lifetime Extension Center will expose materials under solar radiation of up to 1,000 suns and various environmental factors.
Research suggests that children living in areas with limited sunlight are at higher risk of developing asthma. Vitamin D, synthesized through sun exposure, plays a crucial role in preventing the illness.
Asteroid Scheila unexpectedly brightened with short-lived plumes after being struck by a smaller asteroid, according to data from NASA's Swift satellite and Hubble Space Telescope. The collision created a crater 1,000 feet across and ejected over 660,000 tons of dust.
Astronomers have updated the census of sun-like stars with data from NASA's Kepler Mission, detecting changes in brightness in 500 stars. This provides a much better understanding of the stars' properties and their evolution, allowing for detailed measurements of star basics such as mass and age.
Scientists discovered minerals requiring liquid water for formation in comet Wild-2, shattering the current paradigm that comets are frozen in time. The discovery provides evidence of a warm water phase and puts an upper limit on temperatures encountered by the comet during its origin.
New research reveals that tree leaves in different canopy positions respond to varying light conditions by changing shape and physiology. This adaptation allows trees to cope with stress and use resources more efficiently, with outer canopy leaves influencing the inner canopy's ability to utilize diffuse solar radiation.
A new paper suggests that potentially habitable planets orbiting white dwarfs could be much easier to find than other exoplanets. The study proposes a survey of the 20,000 closest white dwarfs, which could be detected using a 1-meter ground telescope.
The James Webb Space Telescope's sunshield is a complex system of five layers, each less than half the thickness of paper, working together to create an effective SPF of 1,000,000. The sunshield unfurls like a giant beach umbrella to protect the telescope and instruments from solar heat and light.
CU-Boulder's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics designed an $8.7 million instrument onboard MESSENGER, which will help solve mysteries about Mercury's hot surface and atmosphere. The mission aims to better understand planetary systems and formation, with dozens of students involved in analyzing data.
Cardiff University astronomers propose that young stars' long naps could lead to the birth of smaller stars and planets. The researchers developed advanced computer models to simulate young star behavior, finding that disc fragmentation is possible in nature.
Researchers used oxygen isotope analysis to reconstruct the history of a pea-sized piece of a 4.57 billion-year-old meteorite, providing evidence that dust grains experienced wildly varying environments during planet formation.
NASA's Glory satellite is scheduled to launch on March 4 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The mission will study the effects of sun particles and aerosols on Earth's climate. The launch also carries three CubeSats, designed and built by university students.
The Total Irradiance Monitor instrument on Glory will study short- and long-term fluctuations in the sun's energy output, influencing Earth's climate. A tiny CU-Boulder satellite, Hermes, also launched on Taurus XL, aims to improve communications systems in tiny satellites.
The STEREO spacecraft provide a 360-degree view of the Sun, allowing NRL researchers to map its entire atmosphere continuously. This capability enables them to study the solar corona and inner heliosphere in unprecedented detail, shedding light on the evolution and structure of the solar atmosphere.
Researchers have spotted Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities in exploding cloud material from the Sun, similar to those seen in Earth's clouds. These instabilities could help predict the Solar System's 'weather'.
Researchers have identified a complex brain navigation system in migrating monarch butterflies that integrates internal compass, sun compass, and skylight cues to guide their long-distance migrations. The study reveals the integration of seemingly contradictory signals into a consistent neural representation of the environment.
A new study explores the impact of sun dimming on atmospheric teleconnections, which are crucial for predicting weather regimes. The research suggests that a dimmed sun could alter the link between tropical temperatures and extra-tropical circulation, potentially affecting prevailing weather patterns.
Researchers have created an antireflective coating based on moth eyes that improves the performance of photovoltaic modules in laboratory and field experiments. The film reduces reflections by up to 30% and increases solar cell efficiency by 5-6%.