Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Using the power of the sun to roast green chile

Using concentrated sunlight, a team of researchers from Sandia National Laboratories successfully roasted green chile, achieving comparable results to traditional propane roasting. The study found that solar power reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 2.68 pounds per 22 pounds of green chile roasted.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·DateJul 6, 2022

NJIT researchers unveil particle accelerator region inside a solar flare

Researchers at New Jersey Institute of Technology have identified the precise location where solar flares accelerate particles to near-light speed. The discovery sheds light on fundamental processes of particle acceleration in the universe, offering new insights into space weather events.

SourceNew Jersey Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateJun 8, 2022

Time-reversal asymmetry surpasses conversion efficiency limit for solar cells

Researchers have developed a single-cell PV design integrated with nonreciprocal optical components to provide 100-percent reuse of emitted radiation, breaking the Shockley–Queisser limit. This breakthrough enables a quasimonochromatic radiation converter to reach the theoretically maximum Carnot efficiency.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy·DateJun 1, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

The Sun is spinning round again

An international team developed a new theoretical model that solves part of the 'solar problem' by considering the Sun's rotation and magnetic fields. The results reproduce the concentration of helium and lithium in the Sun's outer layers, providing insights into stellar physics.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeNews article·DateMay 31, 2022

Dwarf planet Ceres was formed in coldest zone of Solar System and thrust into Asteroid Belt

Researchers propose that Ceres was formed outside the Frost Line, where ammonia ice is abundant, and then pulled into the Asteroid Belt by gravitational instability. Computer simulations support this hypothesis, showing that giant planet formation led to a turbulent environment that scattered objects into stable orbits.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalIcarus·DateMay 17, 2022

Mars’ emitted energy and seasonal energy imbalance

Researchers found that Mars' extreme energy budget imbalance can contribute to dust storms. The team analyzed four years of data from NASA missions and found a correlation between the planet's orbits and temperatures, suggesting that the energy excess may be one of the generating mechanisms of Mars' dust storms.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 16, 2022

Brazil’s Northeast region probably dried up during Earth’s last minimum axial tilt thousands of years ago

A recent study suggests that tree density in the Cerrado biome has been controlled mainly by the length of the dry season over the past 45,000 years. The research found a link between changes in the dry season and variations in Earth's axial tilt, which may lead to similar trends in the late 21st century.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalQuaternary Science Reviews·DateMay 3, 2022

The instability at the beginning of the solar system

A new theory offers an explanation for the formation and evolution of gas giants in our solar system, proposing that a 'rebound' effect triggered their current paths. Researchers found that the primordial gas disk dissipated from the inside out, providing a natural trigger for the instability.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature·DateApr 27, 2022
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Why Venus rotates, slowly, despite sun’s powerful grip

The study suggests that Venus' atmosphere plays a crucial role in determining its rotation speed, with fast winds dragging along the surface and slowing it down. This has significant consequences for the sweltering Venusian climate, with average temperatures of up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Astronomy·DateApr 20, 2022

4 billion-year-old relic from early solar system heading our way

A 80-mile wide comet, one of the oldest objects in the solar system, is heading towards Earth at 22,000 miles per hour. The comet's massive nucleus, 50 times larger than most known comets, will pass within 1 billion miles of the sun in 2031.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 12, 2022

Losing the cover of darkness

A study by researchers at the University of Plymouth reveals that energy-efficient broad spectrum lighting is reducing the efficacy of coastal species' camouflage. This can have significant impacts on visually guided ecological processes, with certain color variations being more vulnerable to detection.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2022

Scientists solve solar secret

Researchers have solved a key part of the coronal heating problem by merging two previous theories into one. The study used six-dimensional supercomputer simulations to show how turbulence creates magnetic waves that heat the gas in the Sun's atmosphere.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 24, 2022
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

A solar illusion: Coronal loops may not be what they seem

A new study led by NCAR suggests that many coronal loops on the Sun are actually wrinkles in a bright plasma veil, rather than distinct strands of plasma. This finding has significant implications for understanding the Sun's atmosphere and density, temperature, and other physical characteristics.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 2, 2022

Planetary bodies observed for first time in habitable zone of dead star

A team of researchers detected a ring of planetary debris surrounding the white dwarf WD1054–226, suggesting a nearby planet may be present in its habitable zone. The study found that the debris is kept in a precise arrangement by a nearby planet's gravitational influence.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 11, 2022
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Scientists explain mysterious finger-like features in solar flares

Astronomers at Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics offer a new explanation for mysterious downflows in solar flares, which are not generated by magnetic reconnection. Instead, they form from the interaction of two fluids with different densities, resulting in 'dark finger-like voids'.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJan 27, 2022

Earth isn’t ‘super’ because the sun had rings before planets

A new study by Rice University astrophysicist André Izidoro suggests that the sun had rings before planets formed, explaining many solar system features. The model simulates the solar system's formation hundreds of times and reproduces several features missed by previous models, including pressure bumps and rings.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 5, 2022

Gravitational action of sun and moon influences behavior of animals and plants, study shows

Researchers found that local gravitational tides modulate the cyclical behavior of organisms, even in the absence of other rhythmic influences. The study questions the validity of free-run experiments and highlights the importance of considering gravitational oscillations in biological research.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalJournal of Experimental Botany·DateJan 4, 2022

NASA enters the solar atmosphere for the first time, bringing new discoveries

Parker Solar Probe successfully flew through the Sun's corona, sampling particles and magnetic fields, revealing critical information about the Sun's evolution and impact on solar system. The probe made new discoveries, including identifying the origin of switchbacks in the solar wind, which form near the solar surface.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 14, 2021
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

A young, sun-like star may hold warnings for life on Earth

Astronomers observed a young, sun-like star ejecting a massive burst of energy and charged particles, potentially bad news for satellites and power grids. The study suggests that similar events could have shaped planets like Earth and Mars over billions of years.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature Astronomy·DateDec 9, 2021

You can help scientists study the Sun

The Solar Jet Hunter project, led by researchers at the University of Minnesota and supported by NASA, allows volunteers to identify solar jets in images captured over 11 years. By annotating images, citizen scientists contribute to a database that helps narrow down data on the Sun for further review.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·TypeObservational study·DateDec 8, 2021

Tread lightly: ‘Eggshell planets’ possible around other stars

Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis have discovered a new type of exoplanet known as 'eggshell planets,' which are likely to have little topography and no plate tectonics. These planets may resemble the lowlands on Venus, with vast expanses of lava but little high-standing terrain.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Planets·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 10, 2021
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Harnessing hot helium ash to drive rotation in fusion reactors

Researchers have discovered a way to harness hot helium ash to drive rotation in fusion reactors, reducing instabilities and turbulence. By capturing the energy of hot fusion ash via alpha channeling, plasma rotation can be stabilized, leading to improved performance and reduced operating costs.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·DateNov 8, 2021

Twelfth century literature and space-age data help map 3,000 years of auroras

A team of researchers used paleomagnetism models and historical documents to create a map of the auroral zone over the last 3,000 years. They found that the auroral zone has moved significantly over time, with notable changes occurring in the 12th century and 18th century.

SourceResearch Organization of Information and Systems·JournalJournal of Space Weather and Space Climate·DateOct 14, 2021

How the Sun’s magnetic forces arrange gas particles

A research team from Göttingen University observed magnetic forces arranging gas particles in solar prominences, with charged particles moving at speeds of up to 42 km/s. This phenomenon is significant for understanding astrophysical processes, including star and planet formation.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateOct 13, 2021
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Large effect of solar activity on Earth's energy budget

Researchers from DTU Space and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that solar eruptions reduce cosmic ray flux, leading to reduced aerosol production and decreased cloud cover. This results in an increase in the Earth's energy budget by almost 2 W/m2 within 4-6 days.

SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 12, 2021

Physicists point out window of opportunity for manned Mars mission

Researchers at Skoltech have identified a favorable window of opportunity for manned Mars missions in the mid-2030s. The study suggests that launching during the decaying phase of solar activity can help shield astronauts from cosmic rays, allowing for longer flight durations.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalSpace Weather·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 7, 2021

NASA model describes nearby star which resembles ours in its youth

A NASA model describes Kappa 1 Ceti, a 30-light-year-away star with similar mass and surface temperature to our young Sun. The study sheds light on what allowed our Sun to foster life on nearby planets, including Earth's atmosphere and the development of biological molecules.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateAug 4, 2021
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

From the Sun to the stars

The newly launched NEID spectrometer will measure the minute gravitational tug of planets on their host stars, enabling the detection of rocky planets and characterization of exoplanetary atmospheres. By utilizing this technology, scientists aim to push the boundaries for searching smaller exoplanets and probing beyond past challenges.

SourcePenn State·DateJul 20, 2021

Solar radio signals could be used to monitor melting ice sheets

Scientists at Stanford University have developed a technique using solar radio signals to measure the depth of ice sheets and glaciers, which could lead to large-scale insight into melting ice sheets and sea-level rise. The passive radar system uses naturally occurring radio waves from the sun to detect changes in ice thickness.

SourceStanford University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJul 14, 2021

Physicists describe sun's electric field

Researchers calculate sun's electric field distribution, revealing its impact on solar wind acceleration. The study provides new insights into the sun's interaction with charged particles and their effect on Earth's activities.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateJul 14, 2021

Why does Mercury have a big iron core?

Scientists found that Mercury's large iron core is linked to the early sun's strong magnetic field, which pulled metal grains inward. This discovery sheds light on the formation of rocky planets' cores and their elemental distribution.

SourceTohoku University·JournalProgress in Earth and Planetary Science·DateJul 6, 2021
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Sculpted by starlight: A meteorite witness to the solar system's birth

Researchers have determined that a massive star, rather than the young sun, was responsible for the split in oxygen isotopes found in the sun and other planets. The study, led by Lionel Vacher, used an unusual meteorite named Acfer 094 to gain insight into the solar system's past.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalGeochimica et Cosmochimica Acta·DateJul 5, 2021

Why does Mercury have such a big iron core? Magnetism!

A new study from the University of Maryland disputes the prevailing hypothesis on Mercury's big core, instead attributing it to solar magnetism. The model shows that a planet's core density and proportion of iron are correlated with the strength of the sun's magnetic field during planetary formation.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalProgress in Earth and Planetary Science·DateJul 2, 2021
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Life in these star-systems could have spotted Earth

Researchers used Gaia eDR3 catalog data to determine which stars pass through the Earth Transit Zone over a 10,000-year period. This allows nearby star-systems to potentially detect Earth, with 1,715 systems having had this opportunity since human civilization began.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateJun 23, 2021

Boundary of heliosphere mapped for the first time

For the first time, scientists have created a 3D map of the heliosphere boundary using data from NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) satellite. The boundary marks the edge of the solar system and protects Earth from interstellar radiation.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateJun 12, 2021

The sun's clock

Researchers propose comprehensive explanation of sun cycles based on planetary attractive forces, reproducing known solar activity fluctuations. However, long-term forecasts become impossible due to chaotic process in activity over thousands of years.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalSolar Physics·DateJun 11, 2021

Which way does the solar wind blow?

Researchers developed new software for improved space weather prediction, leveraging supercomputers and advanced computing techniques to analyze magnetized solar wind plasma. This effort aims to enhance the accuracy of predictions for coronal mass ejections and their impact on Earth's magnetosphere.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·DateJun 3, 2021
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Investigating energy explosions in space

A NASA mission evaluates interactions between the sun and earth's magnetic fields, which can cause explosive energy transfers disrupting technology systems. A UTA professor recruits a first-year doctoral student to join the mission, where he will learn about meaningful magnetospheric events.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateMay 17, 2021

In the emptiness of space, Voyager I detects plasma 'hum'

Researchers have discovered a persistent signature of plasma waves in the interstellar medium using Voyager 1's Plasma Wave System. The detection allows scientists to understand how the solar wind interacts with the interstellar environment.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMay 10, 2021

Space weather and solar blobs

Researchers at DOE's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory receive $2 million in funding to investigate magnetic reconnection and plasma blobs that can disrupt communications satellites. They aim to recreate conditions in the magnetosphere using a device resembling an enormous silvery barrel tipped on its side.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·DateMay 6, 2021

2D materials offer unique stretching properties

Three carbon-based materials have been predicted to exhibit omnidirectional auxetic behavior due to their negative Poisson's ratio. The findings suggest that these materials could be useful in photovoltaic devices or as light-powered catalysts.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateMay 6, 2021
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

New computer model helps brings the sun into the laboratory

Scientists at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have developed a new computer model that accurately predicts the behavior of plasma in the sun's solar corona. This breakthrough could lead to better space weather predictions and improve the understanding of magnetic reconnection, which drives the fusion reactions that power the sun.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·DateApr 28, 2021

Probing deep space with Interstellar

The Interstellar Probe mission aims to study how our Sun interacts with the local interstellar medium and learn more about the formation and evolution of the heliosphere. The probe will take 'images' of the heliosphere using energetic neutral atoms and observe extragalactic background light, shedding new light on the region.

SourceEuropean Geosciences Union·DateApr 26, 2021

Humungous flare from sun's nearest neighbor breaks records

A massive flare from Proxima Centauri, the star closest to our sun, has been detected, shattering previous records. The flare was observed for 40 hours using nine telescopes and produced a wide spectrum of radiation.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 21, 2021

Record-breaking flare from Sun's nearest neighbor

Astronomers have observed a record-breaking flare from Proxima Centauri, the Sun's nearest neighbor, using nine instruments. This extreme outburst offers valuable insights into stellar flares and their potential impact on exoplanet life.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 21, 2021
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

A sun reflector for earth?

A team of experts, including Phoebe Zarnetske and Jessica Gurevitch, investigate the ecological impacts of reflecting sunlight to cool the planet. Their research highlights the complexity of cascading relationships between ecosystem function and climate under different scenarios.

SourceAdvanced Science Research Center, GC/CUNY·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 5, 2021
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Comet makes a pit stop near Jupiter's asteroids

A wayward comet-like object has been spotted near a family of captured ancient asteroids, called Trojans, orbiting the Sun alongside Jupiter. The object shows signs of comet activity, such as a tail, outgassing, and an enshrouding coma of dust and gas.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·DateFeb 25, 2021

Sun and Tong to develop geoweaver platform

Sun and Tong's project aims to make AI workflows more shareable and replicable. The researchers will further develop the open-source GeoWeaver system into a stable operational platform for NASA's EOSDIS archive.

SourceGeorge Mason University·DateFeb 19, 2021

Sounding rocket CLASP2 elucidates solar magnetic field

The CLASP2 sounding rocket experiment charted the magnetic field strength all the way up to the top of the chromosphere, a long-sought goal. This breakthrough brings scientists closer to understanding how magnetic fields heat the solar corona.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 19, 2021
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

First black hole ever detected is more massive than we thought

The stellar-mass black hole in the Cygnus X-1 binary system was found to have a mass 21 times that of the Sun and is rotating at a speed close to the speed of light. This discovery challenges astronomers' thoughts on how black holes formed.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience·DateFeb 18, 2021

The comet that killed the dinosaurs

A new study by Harvard researchers suggests that a comet originating from the Oort cloud was bumped off-course by Jupiter's gravitational field, increasing the rate of impacts on Earth. The theory provides a satisfactory explanation for the origin and composition of Chicxulub impactor, potentially shedding light on other similar craters.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 15, 2021