Articles tagged with Sun
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
Scientists observed large fluctuations in magnetic and electric field readings around each spacecraft, revealing variations in solar wind protons reflected by the shock. This discovery provides valuable insights into bow shocks around distant celestial objects, which can accelerate particles to extreme energies.
The US Naval Academy is partnering with NASA to build a satellite called MidSTAR-2, which will carry four experiments into space in 2011. The satellite will study the Earth's thermosphere, gamma rays, and solar winds, providing valuable insights into these phenomena.
Researchers have found strong evidence that Mercury's core is molten, a discovery that could explain the planet's weak magnetic field. The study used a novel technique to detect tiny twists in Mercury's spin, which occurred as the sun's gravity exerted alternating torques on the planet.
A team of German astronomers has identified a new globular cluster in the Milky Way, comprising approximately 100,000 stars. The discovery is significant as it provides unique laboratory conditions to investigate various aspects of astrophysics and sheds light on the formation and evolution of galaxies.
Researchers at Yale University and the University of Leicester have discovered an ancient solar observatory at Chankillo, Peru, dating back to the 4th century B.C. The site features a line of 13 towers aligned with the sun's position throughout the year, making it the oldest complete solar observatory in the Americas.
Astronomers have identified an X-ray-emitting binary star system in the Small Magellanic Cloud, 170,000 light-years from Earth. The system, HD 5980, features two stars with intense winds that collide and produce multimillion-degree gas radiating brilliantly in X-rays.
The study measures infrared light from three gas giant planets, detecting no temperature differences between their day and night sides. Temperatures appear to be uniform, around 925 degrees Celsius, due to strong winds that mix the atmosphere planetwide.
Scientists have identified a new type of massive stellar death, where stars may collapse into black holes without exploding in supernova explosions. This discovery was made using data from two long-duration Gamma-ray bursts detected by NASA's Swift satellite.
Research reveals tidal motion affects West Antarctic Ice Sheet's largest ice stream, the Rutford Ice Stream, causing it to vary its speed by up to 20% every two weeks. This phenomenon, related to ocean tides and gravitational effects of the sun and moon, has important implications for predicting sea level rise.
The analysis of Stardust particles from comet Wild 2 has revealed clues about the birth of our solar system, challenging some basic theories. The particles contain osbornite, a mineral that forms at high temperatures, indicating a volatile and dynamic environment during the solar system's infancy.
A space sunshade, proposed by University of Arizona astronomer Roger Angel, could balance the heating effect of a doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The constellation of small spacecraft would form a long, cylindrical cloud with about 10 percent of sunlight diverted away from Earth.
Researchers have directly imaged a faint brown dwarf companion to the star HD 3651, which hosts a planet. The discovery provides valuable information on planetary formation and offers a unique insight into the co-formation of planets and brown dwarfs around the same star.
Mars Express's OMEGA instrument reveals a thick slab of dry ice in the cryptic region, but dust contamination is caused by geysers triggered by sunlight heating the soil beneath. The geysers create spots and fans, which suggest a process that could significantly contribute to the dust contamination observed.
Researchers found an isolated bacterial community thriving in rock fracture water two miles beneath the surface. The unique microbes depend solely on geologically produced sulfur and hydrogen for energy, challenging the notion of life's reliance on sunlight.
Astronomers discover sun was born in a massive star cluster, challenging current theories on planetary formation. The researchers used radioactive isotopes from meteorites to calculate the distance and time of a nearby supernova, suggesting that hundreds or thousands of solar siblings may exist.
Astronomers used VISIR instrument to map infrared disc around young, massive star HD 97048, finding it at least 12 times larger than Neptune's orbit. The disc is flared and contains a large amount of gas, potentially hosting planetary embryos.
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory-built STEREO spacecraft will explore coronal mass ejections and their impact on Earth. The twin observatories will capture 3D images and particle measurements of the sun by flying as mirror images of each other.
Astronomers use Hubble Space Telescope to image two mysterious star types, including tiny, slow-burning stars and ancient, giant white dwarfs. The research pushes limits of observatory's capabilities, gathering data that will help refine theories about low-mass stars and the universe's age.
Astronomers discovered a brown dwarf in close orbit around a white dwarf, with a separation of less than 2/3 of the Sun's radius. The system formed after the red giant engulfed its companion and ejected its envelope, leaving behind a binary system.
Scientists at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center highlight the dangers of lightning during National Lightning Safety Awareness Week. The study reveals that over 8 million cloud-to-ground lighting strikes occur daily worldwide, with an average of 67 deaths annually in the US.
The University of New Hampshire has delivered two identical Plasma and SupraThermal Ion Composition (PLASTIC) instruments for NASA's STEREO mission, which aims to study coronal mass ejections and their impact on space weather. The instruments will make measurements of the solar wind as they pass by the twin spacecraft.
A study by the University of Alberta and international partners reveals that past changes in solar radiation have already affected tropical glaciers. Future climate change poses a significant threat to water resources in these regions, as high-altitude glaciers continue to melt rapidly.
Scientists will study the direction and velocity of flows in the corona, a phenomenon visible only during total eclipses. The event also marks NASA's annual Sun-Earth Day program, highlighting the interactions between the sun and our planet.
A new study by the University of Colorado at Boulder suggests that Saturn's ring spokes may become visible again by July due to changes in the planet's orbit and tilt. The spokes, which are up to 6,000 miles long, were first spotted 26 years ago but disappeared shortly after the Cassini spacecraft arrived in 2004.
The Planetary Society and ESA celebrate the imagined rugged beauty of Venus with the winning entries in the 'Postcards from Venus' art contest. The Grand Prize winner, Tatianna Cwick, age 17, has won a trip to the European Space Operations Centre. Other winners include Yoo-Hong Sun, age 9, and Alejandra Gonzalez Quintana, Spain.
Margaret Turnbull has shortlisted five stars for radio signal detection and five for direct imaging of Earth-like planets. Her criteria include age, metallicity, and residency on the main sequence, favoring Sun-like stars with stable orbits.
The Finnish SIXS instrument will measure the Sun's X-ray and particle radiation on Mercury, providing valuable data on the planet's surface and magnetosphere. The instrument is part of the BepiColombo mission, a European Space Agency project that aims to explore Mercury's orbit and composition.
Astronomers discovered dusty disks around two massive stars, suggesting that planets might form and survive in hostile environments. The discovery expands the range of known conditions for complex dust grain formation and potentially indicates that these stars are forming planets.
Astronomers have discovered a new planet, 2003 UB313, which is larger than Pluto and located in the Kuiper Belt. The object's size was determined through thermal emission measurements, revealing a diameter of approximately 3000 km.
Astronomers have discovered two bright debris disks around nearby stars, similar to our own solar system's Kuiper Belt. These narrow disks are believed to be shaped by the presence of a star-like companion that continually grooms their edges.
Scientists confirm that dark matter dominates the total mass of our home galaxy, the Milky Way, through the Radial Velocity Experiment (RAVE) survey. The team aims to measure the speed, temperature, surface gravity and composition of up to a million stars passing near the sun.
Researchers discovered young super nebulae around giant star clusters, containing up to a million young stars, and emitting radiant power billions of times that of the sun. The discovery raises questions about why Milky Way no longer forms similar clusters after 10 billion years.
Astronomers have mapped the outflow from two regions of star formation in the Orion Nebula, providing new insights into the process of star creation. The study used Hubble Space Telescope data to track shock waves and determine the duration of stellar winds, shedding light on how these winds shape the surrounding clouds.
UI researchers discovered a giant star orbiting a 'medium-sized' black hole every 62 days, indicating the star's enormous size and brightness in X-rays. This finding may help confirm a class of black holes with masses between 100 and 10,000 solar masses.
Researchers isolated Sirius B's light using Hubble Space Telescope, measuring its mass based on gravitational redshift. The result indicates Sirius B has a diameter less than Earth's but is denser and has a surface temperature of 25,000 degrees C.
Researchers create an optical vortex mask that eliminates starlight, allowing for direct observation of nearby planets. The device successfully images Saturn and its rings, paving the way for future exoplanet detection projects like the Terrestrial Planet Finder.
The two Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO) spacecraft will explore coronal mass ejections' origin, evolution, and interplanetary consequences during their two-year mission. The STEREO mission aims to improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on Earth systems.
Researchers have identified two distinct formation times for chondrules in the Gujba and Hammadah al Hamra meteorites, contradicting the linear process of solar system evolution. The discovery suggests that giant plumes of vapor produced by planetary collisions may have formed these chondrules much later than previously thought.
New research shows that volcanic eruptions far north of the equator affect the world's climate differently than volcanoes in the tropics. The study focused on Mount Katmai's eruption in June 1912, finding it had a significant cooling effect during summer months.
The discovery provides the first conclusive evidence that a 'protosun' played a major role in chemically shaping the solar system by emitting ultraviolet energy. The team used a technique to reveal details about the Earth's early atmosphere from variations in oxygen and sulfur isotopes, indicating the presence of photochemical reactions.
A study by Yale University and NOAA finds that direct sunlight affects weather balloon temperature probes, leading to discrepancies in global warming estimates. This correction reveals an increase of 0.2 degrees Celsius per decade in average global temperature over the last thirty years.
A recent study highlights the dangers of Solar Proton Events (SPEs) and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) on a manned Mars mission. The researcher recommends improving space weather monitoring and developing lightweight mechanisms to detect dangerous space weather, as well as creating more robust models for propagation over larger distances.
Astronomers discover a young star with unprecedented amounts of warm dust near its orbit, where Earth-like planets are most likely to exist. The team believes this could be the result of a massive collision between planet-size objects, potentially forming conditions similar to our own solar system.
Swift detected a quick rise in ultraviolet light after the Deep Impact probe struck a hard surface on the comet, revealing secrets about the impact.
Researchers argue that oxygen-rich atmospheres are essential for complex life to exist. However, since levels of oxygen won't have had time to develop sufficiently before a sun dies, life may not be able to evolve on planets orbiting short-lived suns.
A NCAR researcher used white-light images of the Sun's corona to study magnetic flux ropes, which store massive amounts of energy. The study found that these structures can form prior to a coronal mass ejection (CME), suggesting a new approach for understanding and forecasting CMEs.
Scientists confirm Voyager 1's crossing of the termination shock at 94 AU, marking a significant milestone on its journey to interstellar space. The spacecraft is expected to reach the heliopause in another 10 years or so, providing valuable insights into the solar system and beyond.
NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft has entered the solar system's final frontier, encountering the heliosheath region. The spacecraft's observation of a sudden increase in magnetic field strength and plasma wave noise indicates it has crossed the termination shock, marking a significant milestone in its journey to interstellar space.
A new study reveals that Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) can originate from tiny magnetic regions on the Sun, challenging current theories. The research used data from NASA/ESA's SOHO spacecraft and found that these mini-CMEs were energetic enough to reach Earth, causing aurora and disrupting satellite communications.
A significant gap exists in understanding Earth's energy balance, crucial for accurately determining climate change. Scientists call for improved research observations and models to describe the overall energy balance of Earth's system.
Astronomers using the European Space Agency's XMM-Newton telescope discovered that Jupiter's x-ray glow is due to x-rays from the Sun being reflected back off the planet's atmosphere. The discovery synchronises Jupiter's day-to-day disk x-rays with the Sun's emissions, providing new insights into solar activity.
Researchers are using two giant detectors in Minnesota and Illinois to explore the properties of neutrinos, particularly their ability to change flavors. The goal is to understand how particles acquire mass and its role in the formation of the universe and dark matter.
Research findings indicate that increased sun exposure is associated with improved melanoma survival, while decreased UV radiation exposure may lower non-Hodgkin lymphoma risk. These studies provide new evidence for the potential beneficial effects of sunlight on cancer incidence and outcome.
Dr. McDonald and his team solved the missing solar neutrinos puzzle, confirming that neutrinos change type on their journey to Earth from the sun. This discovery validates theories of energy generation in the sun and transforms our understanding of elementary particle physics.
Researchers found that strong stellar winds around young red dwarfs may be responsible for removing dust and debris disks. The discovery provides a potential explanation for the rare occurrence of debris disks among red dwarfs, but further observations are needed to confirm this hypothesis.
Researchers have discovered two candidate planets orbiting white dwarfs, which are the remnants of dead stars. The team used a combination of telescopes to detect these planets, which could provide clues about the solar system's formation and the presence of life in the galaxy.
Astronomers have discovered a massive debris disc surrounding the star Vega, indicating a chaotic process in planetary system evolution. The debris is thought to be the result of embryonic planets colliding and crashing into each other, creating ever-finer dust particles.
Researchers at University of Toronto developed a sprayable infrared detector that can harness the sun's invisible rays. The discovery may improve renewable energy sources by increasing efficiency and flexibility in solar cells.
Astronomers used computer simulations to predict that a close encounter between our Sun and another star in the Milky Way galaxy could have given us our solar system's edge and put small, alien worlds into distant orbits. The study found potential locations where captured objects from other solar systems might be found.
The Lennart Nilsson Award honors Göran Scharmer for his groundbreaking solar research, including the development of the Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope. The award is presented annually by Karolinska Institutet and includes a prize of SEK 100,000.