Articles tagged with Sun
A team from Aarhus University has discovered a star with similar characteristics to the Sun, allowing for the observation of its 7.4-year cycle. The star's heavy elements led to stronger magnetic field variability and surface rotation patterns. This study could help understand how the Sun affects our climate.
A team of astronomers discovered massive clouds of gas and dust orbiting the star RZ Piscium, which could have formed from destroyed planets. The star's unusual dimming episodes suggest it is a young Sun-like star with a debris disk.
Astronomer Catherine Pilachowski discovers star RZ Piscium is slowly consuming its planetary offspring, shedding light on a brief but volatile period in solar system history. The study provides insight into the evolution of planetary systems and why some young solar systems survive while others don't.
Astronomers have imaged the surface of a red giant star, π1 Gruis, in unprecedented detail. The star's photosphere features just a few convective cells, or granules, which are much larger than those on our Sun.
A study on Mars- and Venus-sized planet formation suggests that low solar activity helped Venus retain its atmosphere. The model indicates that Mars lost its atmosphere due to low gravity and high stellar EUV luminosity, while Venus retained its atmosphere in scenarios with moderate radiation.
Researchers gathered data on Sun's atmosphere and its impact on Earth's atmosphere, revealing new insights into the Sun-Earth connection. The eclipse also provided an opportunity to test models of the ionosphere's effects on communication signals.
Researchers developed a model that shows how planetary chemistry could create a greenhouse effect on an exoplanet, keeping it warm despite a cold sun. The model, based on Earth's possible geological and biological chemistry three billion years ago, suggests that methane may have played a key role in maintaining the planet's temperature.
CU Boulder's Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor (TSIS-1) instrument suite is set for launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, aiming to monitor the planet's climate by measuring solar radiation. The mission will help distinguish between natural and human influences on climate, with implications for understanding Earth's processes.
Researchers have proposed a new model to explain turbulent processes in plasmas, which are estimated to make up 99% of the universe's visible matter. The findings suggest that magnetic reconnection plays a crucial role in plasma turbulence, providing a conceptual shift in understanding its dynamics and properties.
The Dellingr spacecraft, designed to demonstrate the viability of CubeSats for scientific research, has begun its checkout process after being released into low-Earth orbit on November 20. The spacecraft is equipped with a suite of miniaturized instruments to gather data on the Sun's influence on Earth's upper atmosphere.
Scientists have discovered oscillations in solar flares that exhibit pulses or oscillations in the amount of energy being sent out. These findings offer new insights into the origins of massive solar flares and their effects on space weather.
A new NASA mission concept aims to study why planets lose their atmospheres. The proposed Mechanisms of Energetic Mass Ejection-Explorer (MEME-X) mission will use Earth as a laboratory, focusing on the loss of mass in the upper atmospheric layers and its interaction with solar wind.
The proposed FOXSI mission will study the physical mechanisms behind solar flares and their impact on Earth. By analyzing X-ray radiation and particle acceleration, scientists aim to gain a deeper understanding of space weather and its effects on satellites and communications systems.
The Hitomi mission has provided unprecedented insights into the chemical composition of hot gas in the Perseus galaxy cluster. Scientists have found that the proportions of iron-peak elements are nearly identical to those seen in our solar system, suggesting a similar chemical evolution process.
A team of astronomers observed the surface of a red giant star, similar to the Sun, using ALMA. The research revealed powerful shock waves and unexpected heat in its atmosphere, challenging current theoretical models.
The ALMA discovery reveals two dust belts surrounding Proxima Centauri, one extending four hundred million kilometres from the star and another even farther out. These findings suggest a complex planetary system with multiple planets and potentially offer insights into the formation of the Earth.
Researchers used biblical and ancient Egyptian texts to determine an annular solar eclipse on 30 October 1207 BC, which could help date the Egyptian pharaohs, including Ramesses the Great. This calculation enables precise dating of their reigns with a one-year precision.
A new model reveals that neutral particles facilitate magnetic field penetration through the Sun's surface, producing spicules. This leads to the generation of Alfvén waves, which are thought to heat the sun's atmosphere and propel the solar wind.
A NASA sounding rocket instrument has spotted signatures of tiny solar flares, known as nanoflares, in the Sun's outer atmosphere. These tiny energy releases could be contributing to the high temperatures observed in the corona, with further research needed to determine their exact impact.
Astronomers using the VLBA have directly measured the distance to a star-forming region on the opposite side of the Milky Way, nearly doubling the previous record. This achievement allows for the accurate mapping of the Galaxy's structure and spiral arms.
Sandia scientists develop a system to convert surplus solar flux into additional electricity at tower CSP plants, increasing capacity by up to 10 MW and reducing costs. The concept involves cladding the tower with photovoltaic panels, generating over 10% of total capacity.
A team led by UCLA professor David Jewitt has identified a primitive comet, C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS), 1.5 billion miles from the sun. The discovery allows scientists to monitor the comet's activity over an extraordinary range of distances.
A team led by University of Iowa physicist Craig Kletzing has won $1.25 million from NASA to conceptualize a potential mission to study the interactions between the sun and Earth's magnetic fields. The mission, called TRACERS, aims to better understand how the solar wind affects our planet and its technology.
The university's researchers compiled a large solar dataset from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory mission, making several hundred thousand solar events available to the public. The dataset has improved the quality of the data and will accelerate computer vision research on these solar images.
A significant solar flare occurred on September 10, 2017, peaking at 12:06 p.m. EDT, causing disturbances in the atmosphere where GPS and communications signals travel. The X8.2-class flare is part of a series of flares from Active Region 2673, which was identified on August 29.
The sun emitted two mid-level solar flares on Sept. 7, 2017, peaking at M7.3 and X1.3, respectively. These flares are part of the fourth and fifth sizable events from the same active region since Sept. 4.
Two significant solar flares were captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on September 6, 2017, with the largest flare peaking at an X9.3 classification. This event had a significant impact on Earth's atmosphere and GPS signals.
A mid-level solar flare was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on September 4, 2017. The M5.5 class flare may cause disturbances in the atmosphere where GPS and communications signals travel.
A team of astronomers has created the first two-dimensional velocity map of a star's atmosphere using ESO's Very Large Telescope Interferometer. The study reveals turbulent, low-density gas much further from the star than predicted, challenging current theories on convection.
Researchers used supercomputers to create highly-detailed solar simulations, timed to the moment of the eclipse, which provided a preview of the solar corona's appearance. The simulations included improved treatments of energy transport and magnetic shear, increasing the accuracy of the predictions.
Researchers used Stampede2 supercomputer to forecast solar eclipse corona, shedding light on sun's structure and space weather. The simulations, completed with NASA's Pleiades and other computers, provided highly detailed models of the sun's surface and predicted the solar corona's appearance during the Aug. 21 eclipse.
Scientists will measure lower corona in fine detail using new instruments during the Aug. 21, 2017 eclipse. This data will help characterize complex magnetic field and predict space weather events.
A solar filament rose from the surface of the Sun but collapsed due to invisible magnetic forces, preventing an eruption. Scientists used data from multiple NASA observatories and ground-based telescopes to track the event and develop a model that explains how the Sun's magnetic landscape terminates eruptions.
Scientists will use automated communication signals to probe the ionosphere's behavior during the Aug. 21 eclipse, providing insights into mechanisms underlying ionospheric changes. The study will help improve understanding of the Sun's impact on Earth's atmosphere and navigation signal interference.
Researchers have accurately measured the Sun's core rotation rate, discovering it takes just one week for the core to complete a full rotation. This groundbreaking finding has the potential to refine models of the Sun's birth, evolution, and structure, shedding new light on its internal dynamics.
During the total solar eclipse on August 21, UMass Lowell faculty and students will conduct research on space weather using high-tech instruments. The goal is to better predict the weather and enhance GPS, satellite, and shortwave-radio communications.
Scientists will use twin telescopes on NASA's WB-57F jet planes to capture high-resolution images of the Sun's outer atmosphere and thermal images of Mercury. The observations aim to study coronal heating and temperature variation across Mercury's surface.
Astronomers used novel technique to analyze ETNO orbits, finding clustering of nodes at certain distances from the Sun. The results suggest a planet beyond Pluto, with its orbit potentially interacting with ETNOs.
An international team of astronomers suggests that the Milky Way contains a staggering number of brown dwarfs, with estimates ranging from 25 to 100 billion. The Substellar Objects in Nearby Young Clusters (SONYC) survey found that brown dwarfs are common in dense star clusters and have a small effect on their formation environment.
Researchers studied the Sun using sound waves to find that its significant magnetic activity layer has grown thinner in recent years. This change is being investigated as a possible cause of unusual solar activity.
Comet 174P/Echeclus, part of the centaur population, exhibits unusual emission activity despite low temperatures, suggesting it may be more fragile than other comets. The study provides insights into comet composition and formation, potentially shedding light on the origins of life.
Spicules are violently driven jets of plasma that occur thousands of times per day, yet their origin is poorly understood. The new model resolves this mystery by explaining how magnetic fields and solar plasma interact to generate spicules.
A computer simulation, taking a year to run, shows how spicules form on the sun's surface by incorporating neutral particles. The model suggests spicules play a key role in energizing the sun's atmosphere and generating Alfvén waves.
MAVEN has made several groundbreaking discoveries about the Martian upper atmosphere, including unexpected exchanges of gas between lower and upper atmosphere layers. The mission has also revealed complex interactions between solar wind and planet, resulting in the loss of atmospheric gas to space.
Researchers found that nearly all sunlike stars form with a companion, but these companions often escape and merge with other stars. The study's findings have implications for the origins of galaxies and suggest that many stars are born in pairs, like our sun and its long-lost sibling.
Researchers detect methyl isocyanate in solar-type protostar, a precursor to complex compounds like peptides and amino acids. The finding suggests that planets could begin with the chemical ingredients needed for life, supporting the theory of prebiotic chemistry in space.
An international research team led by Kailash C. Sahu observed the gravitational microlensing effect in a star other than the Sun, confirming a key prediction of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity. The study determined the mass of a white dwarf star, providing new insights into galaxy evolution and the history of stars.
Researchers have developed a 3D graphene oxide based artificial transpiration device with high solar vapor efficiency, minimizing convection and conduction losses. The device can also collect more sunlight throughout the day and enable effective water treatment through two pathways.
The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) caught a partial solar eclipse in space when the moon passed in front of the sun. The lunar transit lasted almost an hour and covered about 89% of the sun's surface. The moon's rugged terrain, sprinkled with craters and mountains, influenced what was seen during the event.
A new study examines the effects of high-altitude nuclear explosion tests on Earth's magnetic environment, revealing similarities with natural radiation belts and auroras. The research sheds light on the impact of space weather on satellites and astronauts.
A new study reveals that HAT-P-26b, a Neptune-sized planet, has a hydrogen and helium-dominated atmosphere with a strong water signature. The discovery challenges the long-held assumption that planets like Neptune formed in a region of icy debris, instead suggesting alternative formation mechanisms.
A NASA study using Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes reveals a primitive atmosphere around HAT-P-26b, composed mainly of hydrogen and helium. The planet's water signature suggests it formed closer to its star or later in the planetary system than similar planets.
A team of international researchers has uncovered the primitive atmosphere surrounding a distant exoplanet called HAT-P-26b, also known as Warm Neptune. The study found that the planet's atmosphere is composed almost entirely of hydrogen and helium with no clouds present.
A NASA model has simulated stealth solar storms from the sun, showing how slow and quiet processes can create massive magnetic field twists that speed out into space without warning. The models match space-based observations, revealing a complex process that generates energy over two weeks.
PortHadoop reader enables seamless data transfer between Hadoop and parallel file systems, accelerating big data analytics. The NSF-funded Chameleon cloud testbed facilitates the development of PortHadoop reader for NASA Cloud library applications.
The RAISE mission will take 1,500 images of the sun's surface in just five minutes, providing high-cadence observations of its dynamic processes. By analyzing these images, scientists can study solar flares and massive eruptions, gaining insights into the sun's complex magnetic activity.
Astronomers have confirmed the existence of separate inner and outer disk structures around epsilon Eridani, similar to the asteroid and Kuiper belts in our solar system. The star's debris disk is thought to be a key to understanding the evolution of our solar system.
Researchers at New Jersey Institute of Technology are investigating solar physics to improve prediction and countermeasures for explosive solar events. They're using high-resolution radio data from state-of-the-art telescopes like Owens Valley Solar Array.
A new study proposes a unified model for solar eruptions, suggesting that smaller events like coronal jets can be explained by the same process as massive coronal mass ejections. The breakout model, which was previously used to describe CMEs, has been adapted to explain the formation of jets.
Researchers found that coronal jets and CMEs are triggered by magnetic reconnection, a process where stressed filaments break through their magnetic restraints. The study provides a theoretical universal model for solar eruptions, covering all scales from small jets to large CMEs.