Articles tagged with Sun
The Coronal Diagnostic Experiment (CODEX) will block out the Sun's surface light to observe details in its outer atmosphere, providing new insights into the solar wind. By measuring temperature, speed, and density, scientists will gain a fuller picture of the solar wind's evolution.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have discovered a link between lightning storms on Earth and high-energy electrons in space. The team found that lightning strikes can knock these 'killer electrons' out of the inner radiation belt, which could pose a threat to satellites and astronauts.
An international team produced global maps of the coronal magnetic field using a new instrument called UCoMP. The observations are providing valuable insights into the processes that drive intense solar storms impacting technologies and lives on Earth.
Researchers from University of Texas at Arlington have identified 206 systems of interest for potential habitability, including one system where the planet is always situated in the HZ. The team analyzed data from NASA Exoplanet Archive and found F-type stars to be a promising case for life beyond Earth.
Researchers at NJIT's Institute for Space Weather Sciences and Ying Wu College of Computing are developing an AI-powered space weather forecasting system called SolarDM. The system uses synthetic vector magnetograms to provide critical data for predicting solar eruptions, which could offer a three-day forecast horizon.
Snowmelt rates vary by slope orientation and receive varying amounts of solar radiation. The study found that burned south-facing slopes accumulate less snow and melt earlier than other aspects due to increased solar radiation absorption. This understanding will improve models and tools for water managers.
Scientists have discovered how the Sun's supersonic solar wind receives energy, thanks to a lucky alignment of NASA and ESA spacecraft. The fastest solar winds are powered by magnetic switchbacks, which deposit enough energy to account for heating and acceleration in the solar wind.
Scientists at the DOE's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have directly observed magneto-Rayleigh Taylor instabilities in plasma, which could aid in understanding how black holes produce vast intergalactic jets. The observation confirms that magnetic fields play a crucial role in forming these jets.
A study suggests that higher levels of UV radiation in areas with limited sunshine are associated with a drop in deaths due to cardiovascular disease and cancer. Sunbed use was also found to be linked to a reduced risk of these deaths, but further research is needed to confirm the findings.
Two proposed UK space missions, led by the University of Leicester, will investigate the Sun's impact on atmospheres, space weather and habitability. Elfen will study Earth's magnetosphere, while SIRIUS will analyze stellar winds and their effects on exoplanetary environments.
Researchers at Aberystwyth University have made a breakthrough in predicting the speed of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and their arrival time on Earth. This discovery improves our ability to forecast space weather events, providing crucial advance warnings for protecting vital technological systems.
Astronomers have uncovered 21 neutron stars in wide orbits around stars like our Sun, revealing the first dark neutron star population. The discovery was made possible by the European Space Agency's Gaia mission, which scanned the sky and measured wobbles of over a billion stars.
A new definition of a planet is proposed to replace the outdated IAU definition, which requires orbiting our sun. The new definition includes being unrestrained by the bounds of our solar system and provides quantitative criteria for defining planets.
Researchers at the University of Utah and Max Planck Institute have discovered an intermediate-mass black hole in the Omega Centauri cluster, providing crucial evidence for a long-theorized class of black holes. The discovery offers insights into galaxy evolution and the formation history of globular clusters.
Astrophysicists calculate that two million years ago, the solar system encountered a cold, harsh interstellar cloud, which may have interfered with the sun's solar wind and affected Earth's climate. The heliosphere, a protective plasma shield, was compressed in such a way that it briefly placed Earth outside its influence.
The study presents a comprehensive physical explanation for the sun's activity cycles, attributing them to Rossby waves mediated by planetary tidal influences. This model successfully explains the Schwabe cycle and other solar cycles, providing strong evidence for the planetary hypothesis.
The NASA TESS-Keck Survey catalog features 126 exotic planets with detailed measurements allowing for comparisons with our solar system. Several planets stand out as touchstones for deepening astronomers' understanding of planetary formation and evolution.
Researchers have developed a method to trap solar energy at temperatures over 1,000°C using synthetic quartz, demonstrating its potential for clean energy in carbon-intensive industries. The technology shows promise for industrial applications and could provide an economic viable alternative to fossil fuels.
Researchers have discovered three of the oldest stars in the universe, forming between 12 and 13 billion years ago. The team believes these 'Small Accreted Stellar System' (SASS) stars originated from small primitive galaxies absorbed by the Milky Way.
Researchers used NASA's High Resolution Coronal Imager and Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph to study the Sun's moss, which is heated from 10,000 to 1 million degrees Fahrenheit. The observations revealed that electrical currents may play a role in this superheating mechanism.
The TESS24 conference will focus on the impact of space weather on various systems, including satellites, GPS, and power grids. Experts will discuss new predictions for Solar Cycle 25's peak intensity and the possibility of superflares happening every 6,000 years.
A Tel Aviv University study found that women in this age group experience increased AMH secretion when exposed to UV radiation from the sun. This increase in hormone levels is associated with a positive effect on fertility.
Researchers led by Bruno Arsioli have observed a non-uniform distribution of high-energy photons in the Sun's gamma-ray emissions, with polar regions emitting more radiation than expected. This finding suggests a possible link between cosmic rays and the solar magnetic field, which could inform space weather forecasts.
Astronomers have discovered a small, cold exoplanet with an orbital period of 146 days, providing insight into planetary formation and evolution. The planet, HD88986b, is about twice the size of Earth and orbits a star similar to the Sun.
A new study by University of Hawaii at Manoa scientists reveals a possible mechanism for the 'late phase' in stellar white-light flares, leading to unusual behavior. The discovery sheds light on the underlying physics driving these rare events.
A study of Ryugu samples suggests that micrometeorites from icy celestial bodies in the outer Solar System transported nitrogen compounds to near-Earth regions. This discovery could provide clues about the origins of nitrogen on our planet, potentially serving as a building block for life.
A new study reveals that sunflowers use different molecular pathways to initiate and maintain tracking movements, involving multiple light signaling pathways. The research also found that depletion of one or more light triggers has little effect on the sunflower's ability to track the sun.
New studies show that giant gas planets in nearby star systems can prevent life on smaller, rocky planet neighbors by kicking them out of orbit and wreaking havoc on their climates. Researchers found that four giant planets in the HD 141399 system are likely to destroy the chances for life on Earth-like planets.
A team of space physicists used NASA's Parker Solar Probe to analyze whistler waves, finding they originated from disturbances in Venus' weak magnetic fields. The results support a previous study that failed to detect radio waves generated by lightning strikes on the planet.
A new solar-powered desalination system can produce drinking water at a lower cost and rate than traditional tap water. The system, developed by MIT engineers and their Chinese collaborators, uses natural sunlight to evaporate seawater, leaving salt behind, and has a higher production rate and rejection rate than previous designs.
Researchers have developed a new measurement technique that uses the Kramers-Kronig relation to untangle complex helical light patterns from camera intensity measurements. This allows for single-shot retrieval of orbital angular momentum spectrum information, accelerating and simplifying the process compared to conventional on-axis int...
Astronomers from University of Hawaiʻi Institute for Astronomy have discovered a Jupiter-like planet, Halla, that survived its host star Baekdu's expansion into a red giant. The study found that the planet persisted despite the normally perilous evolution of the star.
Scientists have discovered a rare type of white dwarf pulsar, shedding light on stellar evolution and the origin of strong magnetic fields. The newly detected pulsar, J1912-4410, has a size similar to Earth but a mass at least as large as the Sun.
The Parker Solar Probe has detected streams of high-energy particles that match supergranulation flows within coronal holes, suggesting these are the origins of the fast solar wind. The solar wind's charged particles were accelerated by magnetic reconnection within funnel structures on the sun's surface.
Researchers found GRB 221009A's jet exhibited a narrow core with wide sloping wings, differing from standard jets. This unique structure may explain the event's extreme energy release and prolonged visibility.
Researchers used data from NASA's Parker Solar Probe to explain how the solar wind surpasses speeds of 1 million miles per hour. The energy released from the magnetic field near the sun's surface drives the fast solar wind, comprising ionized particles flowing outward from the sun.
Scientists at Aalto University and MPS used petascale supercomputers to simulate the Sun's magnetic field, finding evidence for a small-scale dynamo that challenges conventional understanding. This discovery could lead to improved predictions of major solar events, providing vital extra time for preparation.
Researchers have discovered that certain soapstone and granite samples from Tanzania are well-suited for storing solar heat, featuring high energy densities and stability. These rocks show promise as a sustainable energy storage material for concentrated solar power generation and solar drying technology.
A New Jersey Institute of Technology research team has been awarded a $4.64 million grant to continue studying the Sun's explosive activity at Big Bear Solar Observatory. The team will use the observatory's unique imaging capabilities and stable seeing conditions to investigate solar phenomenon as activity on the Sun ramps up.
A team of 995 undergraduate and graduate students analyzed 600 real solar flares, casting doubt on the theory that nanoflares heat up the sun's corona. The students' work provided a unique opportunity for early-career scientists to learn about collaborative research.
A team of scientists at MIT and elsewhere have observed a star engulfing a nearby planet, a phenomenon that will also befall Earth in 5 billion years. The star's outburst was followed by a colder, longer-lasting signal, indicating the presence of gas from the star condensing into dust.
A new study published in the journal Life suggests that solar particles may have formed amino acids and carboxylic acids, the basic building blocks of proteins and organic life, through chemical reactions in Earth's early atmosphere. The experiments replicate the Miller-Urey experiment, but with a focus on solar particles instead of li...
Researchers found that metal-poor stars, with fewer heavy elements, emit less intense ultraviolet radiation into space. This allows their planets to form a protective ozone layer, making conditions more life-friendly. The study suggests that as the universe ages, it becomes increasingly unfavourable for complex life on new planets.
A UTSA-led research team has discovered a new exoplanet using indirect methods. The exoplanet, HIP 99770 b, is about 14 to 16 times the mass of Jupiter and orbits a nearly twice-as-massive star. This breakthrough opens a new avenue for scientists to discover and characterize exoplanets.
Engineers at UMass Amherst invent bilayered fabric that traps warmth like polar bear fur, keeping wearer comfortable in cold temperatures. The fabric is also lightweight and efficient, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional insulation.
Research reveals connection between star brightness and dust concentrations, paving way for study of dust's role in planetary formation. The University of Tokyo's latest findings may help unravel the secrets of life's creation.
New research reveals methane traps heat in the atmosphere but also creates cooling clouds that offset 30% of the heat. Methane absorbs both longwave and shortwave energy, leading to a slight cooling effect.
Researchers attribute unusual radar properties to coherent backscatter opposition effect (CBOE) and ice surface irregularities. The CBOE model, improved by Hofgartner and Hand, can explain all icy satellite radar properties.
Heat flow in the Earth's core is linked to anomalies in the magnetic field, particularly over Africa and the Pacific. The cooling process does not happen uniformly, causing regional changes to the magnetic field.
A recent experiment by UC Riverside astrophysicist Stephen Kane demonstrates that a terrestrial planet in this location would have disastrous effects on the solar system. The simulation found that such a planet could destabilize Earth's orbit, making it far less habitable and potentially ejecting Mercury and Venus from the solar system.
The University of Canterbury researchers found that rocket launches emit gases and particulates that damage the ozone layer. The study highlights the need for coordinated global action to protect the upper atmosphere environment.
A new study proposes using space dust as a sunshield to mitigate global warming. The team found that launching lunar dust from the moon into orbit at the Lagrange Point between Earth and the sun could provide effective shading, but would require precise simulations and an astronomical cost.
A University of Utah-led study explores using space dust as a shield to reduce solar radiation and slow global warming. Launching lunar dust from the moon instead of Earth's way station at L1 could be an effective and cheap solution.
A new solar distillation device, developed by KAUST professors and researchers, can purify brine from seawater with high efficiency. The device produces double the freshwater production rate of existing technology, meeting the drinking needs of two people daily.
The Aztecs tracked seasonal variations in weather by watching the sunrise against the peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Their agricultural system accurately fed a population of up to 3 million people before the Spanish arrival.
Researchers have observed long, web-like plasma structures in the Sun's middle corona, which discharge particles into space through interactions within the structures. This innovative observation method could lead to a better understanding of the solar wind's origins and its interactions with the rest of the solar system.
A team of researchers used images from the Hubble Space Telescope to determine the age and composition of a distant supernova. The study suggests that the heavier atomic elements necessary for life were created inside stars and released during supernovae explosions.
Researchers at Nagoya University analyzed three historical writings to identify past solar eclipses in Hokkaido, using modern scientific techniques. They found that these accounts matched computer simulations of the Sun and Moon positions, revealing valuable clues about the extremity of the solar-terrestrial environment.
Astronomers found that a planet like GJ 1252b, orbiting an M dwarf star, would likely lose its atmosphere due to intense heat and radiation. The discovery narrows the search for habitable planets around these stars, but leaves room for possibilities further away from the star.
Astronomers have discovered a stellar binary with an extremely short orbit of just 51 minutes, confirming a decades-old prediction. The system is believed to be a cataclysmic variable, in which a white dwarf is accreting material from its companion star.