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New AI model detects hidden signs of solar eruptions hours before they emerge

A new AI model, EarlyDetect, can detect precursor signals of active region emergence in the Sun's acoustic activity and magnetic field, forecasting solar eruptions nearly nine hours in advance. This technology has the potential to allow satellite communications companies or power grid companies to prepare for solar storms.

SourceNew Jersey Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Machine Learning and Computation·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 14, 2026
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.

NSF Inouye solar telescope enables major discovery of a hidden solar process

Researchers used the NSF Inouye Solar Telescope to capture high-resolution images of swirling vortices in the sun's photosphere, which are believed to be the 'engine' driving twisting magnetic field lines. This discovery could fundamentally change our understanding of solar dynamics and evolution.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 5, 2026
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Solar prominences: supply mechanisms in the Sun’s corona

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research investigated how solar prominences form and what secrets their longevity holds. They found that multiple processes create a balance between material loss and supply, driven by magnetic fields and temperature gradients in the Sun's atmosphere.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Solar System Research·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 22, 2026

Medieval Japanese poetry and buried trees help elucidate volatile space weather

Researchers from OIST used medieval records and buried trees to identify a sub-extreme solar proton event between winter 1200 CE and spring 1201 CE. They also reconstructed the Sun's activity cycle, which was shorter than today's eleven-year cycles.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalProceedings of the Japan Academy Series B·TypeObservational study·DateApr 9, 2026

Japan delivers its sharpest X-ray telescope for the FOXSI mission, a US-Japan rocket program to observe the sun

Scientists in Japan developed a high-resolution X-ray telescope using precision mirror-making technology, capable of distinguishing objects 3.5 mm wide from 1 km away. The telescope was tested on the ground using a unique evaluation system before launch on the FOXSI sounding rocket mission.

SourceNagoya University·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 7, 2026

Providing the Artemis mission with solar radiation forecasts

The University of Michigan's new solar particle forecasting technology has been integrated into NASA's Artemis II mission to provide situational awareness of impending harmful radiation released during solar flares and eruptions. The machine-learning model uses satellite images of the sun and corona to forecast solar particle storms up...

SourceUniversity of Michigan·DateApr 2, 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

ESA’s Mars orbiters watch solar superstorm hit the Red Planet

A recent study revealed that the solar superstorm caused a dramatic increase in electrons in two distinct layers of Mars' atmosphere at altitudes of around 110 and 130 km. The storm also triggered computer errors for both orbiters, but they recovered quickly due to their radiation-resistant components.

SourceEuropean Space Agency·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 5, 2026

New research takes first step toward advance warnings of space weather

A new tool developed by Southwest Research Institute and National Science Foundation's National Center for Atmospheric Research provides a first step toward forecasting space weather weeks in advance. The PINNBARDS framework connects surface observations of solar active regions to deep solar magnetic dynamics, offering potential for su...

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 19, 2026

Magnetic avalanches power solar flares

A team of scientists used Solar Orbiter's instruments to capture a large solar flare in unprecedented detail. The observations revealed that the flare was triggered by initially weak disturbances that quickly became more violent, creating a 'sky' of raining plasma blobs.

SourceEuropean Space Agency·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2026
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

NJIT researchers discover long-hidden source of gamma rays unleashed by solar flares

Researchers at NJIT's Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research have pinpointed a previously unknown class of high-energy particles in the Sun's upper atmosphere responsible for generating intense gamma-ray signals during major solar flare events. These particles, energized to millions of electron volts, are linked to bremsstrahlung emissi...

SourceNew Jersey Institute of Technology·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJan 7, 2026

SwRI-led study provides insight into oscillations in solar flares

A SwRI-led study finds that quasi-periodic pulsations (QPPs) in solar flares are driven by dynamic oscillations in magnetic reconnection. This research could help refine traditional solar flare models, providing new insights into the mechanisms driving space weather.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 9, 2025
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.

Sun-watcher SOHO celebrates thirty years

SOHO has provided a nearly continuous record of our Sun's activity for close to three 11-year-long solar cycles. The mission has overcome challenges, including a critical error and failed gyroscopes, but continues to produce high-quality data on a daily basis.

SourceEuropean Space Agency·JournalNature Astronomy·DateDec 2, 2025

Coronal mass ejections at the dawn of the solar system

Researchers from Kyoto University have found multi-temperature coronal mass ejections from a young solar analogue, suggesting frequent strong CMEs could have driven life emergence on early planets. The study used simultaneous space- and ground-based observations to capture hot and cool plasma components.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 27, 2025

A new “beaded” rhythm in the sun's radio song

A team from China uses the Chashan Broadband Solar Radio Spectrometer to record periodic beaded stripes during a large solar flare, revealing fast and small-scale processes in the Sun's atmosphere. The discovery sheds new light on the physical origins of fine spectral structures.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Physics Mechanics and Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateOct 22, 2025

Solar rain mystery cracked by researchers

Scientists at University of Hawaii's Institute for Astronomy have discovered a new explanation for the formation of solar rain in the Sun's corona. By allowing elemental abundances to change over time, their models finally match observed phenomena, providing fresh insights into coronal heating and the Sun's behavior during flares.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateOct 1, 2025
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.

Solar Orbiter traces superfast electrons back to Sun

The European Space Agency-led Solar Orbiter mission has split energetic particles into two groups, tracing them back to distinct solar outbursts. Researchers found that one type of particle is connected to intense solar flares and the other to larger coronal mass ejections.

SourceEuropean Space Agency·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 2025

The NSF Inouye Solar Telescope delivers record-breaking images of solar flare, coronal loops

Astronomers captured dark coronal loop strands with unprecedented clarity during an X1.3-class flare, measuring 48.2 km in width, the smallest ever imaged. The team's high-resolution images offer a potential breakthrough in resolving the fundamental scale of solar coronal loops and improving space weather forecasting.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateAug 25, 2025

SwRI-led work confirms decades-old theoretical models about solar reconnection

A recent study published in Nature Astronomy confirmed decades-old theoretical models of magnetic reconnection in the solar corona, using data from NASA's Parker Solar Probe. The research provides new insights into the process that drives solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which can impact technology on Earth.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 18, 2025
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Space storm captured by NRL spurs new era in CME research

A powerful Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) erupted from the Sun, initiating a severe geomagnetic storm alert for Earth. The event was observed by NRL's space-based instrumentation and highlighted the importance of CME research in understanding the conditions of the Earth's magnetosphere.

SourceNaval Research Laboratory·DateJun 9, 2025

“Raindrops in the Sun’s corona”: New adaptive optics shows stunning details of our star’s atmosphere

Scientists have developed a groundbreaking adaptive optics system that removes blur from images of the Sun's corona, revealing clearest images to date. The technology has produced remarkable observations of fine-structure in the corona, including raindrops and turbulent internal flows.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMay 27, 2025

SwRI scientist discovers how solar events affect the velocity of helium pickup ions

A new study by SwRI scientists reveals that solar energetic particles (SEPs) can be twice as fast as the solar wind and are more effectively accelerated to higher energies due to their distinct velocity distribution. This discovery is crucial for understanding radiation hazards to astronauts.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateMay 21, 2025

Enhanced activity in the upper atmosphere of Sporadic E layers during the 2024 Mother’s Day super geomagnetic storm

A new study reveals that sporadic E layers were significantly enhanced during the recovery phase of the 2024 Mother's Day super geomagnetic storm. The phenomenon, which appears as thin and dense patches of ionized metals, was detected mainly over Southeast Asia, Australia, the South Pacific, and the East Pacific.

SourceKyushu University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 12, 2025
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.

New project investigates mysteries of Sun’s atmosphere

A new £5 million project will tackle fundamental questions in solar physics by simulating the Sun's radiation and atmospheric conditions. The Solar Atmospheric Modelling Suite (SAMS) aims to build a next-generation modelling tool for the solar atmosphere, capturing its complex dynamics.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·DateMay 7, 2025

Rising CO2 likely to speed decrease in ‘space sustainability’

Scientists at the University of Birmingham warn that increasing CO2 levels could lead to a decrease in 'space sustainability' due to changes in the Earth's upper atmosphere. The research suggests that as the atmosphere cools, it contracts, reducing satellite density and potentially increasing the risk of collisions.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Sustainability·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 10, 2025

NASA Solar Observatory sees coronal loops flicker before big flares

Scientists have identified flickering loops in the solar atmosphere that signal impending solar flares. The loops' brightness variability can be measured to predict flares with up to 80% accuracy, potentially providing 2-6 hours of warning time for astronauts and technology.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJan 15, 2025
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Superflares once per century

A new study reveals that sun-like stars experience superflares approximately once per century, releasing massive amounts of energy in short periods. This finding suggests that the Sun's long-term behavior may be more frequent than previously thought, with implications for forecasting dangerous space weather.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Solar System Research·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateDec 12, 2024

NASA awards SwRI $60 million contract to develop next-generation coronagraphs

SwRI's novel Space Weather Solar Coronagraph (SwSCOR) will provide early detection and characterization of Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs), helping to predict geomagnetic storms and protect Earth assets. The instrument suite includes rapid data reduction software, delivering processed images to NOAA forecasters within minu...

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·DateNov 18, 2024
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

NJIT launches AI-powered solar eruption center with $5M NASA grant

The new center aims to develop AI-driven tools for predicting solar eruptions, expand space science education programs, and build a long-term dataset of sun activity. It will also establish an education program providing research opportunities for students and promoting STEM education.

SourceNew Jersey Institute of Technology·DateOct 16, 2024

UTA receives $1.5 million for space weather program

The University of Texas at Arlington has been awarded a $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to train scientists in space physics and data science. The grant will also enable UTA to create a specialization in space physics for students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in physics.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateOct 14, 2024

Lightning strikes kick off a game of electron pinball in space

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.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 10, 2024

New study raises questions about validity of standard model of solar flares

A recent study tested the standard model of solar flares by comparing computer simulations with observational data from the McMath-Pierce telescope. The researchers found a significant delay in the paired chromospheric sources, which challenges the current energy transport mechanism by electron beam. This delay suggests that other fact...

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateSep 23, 2024
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

UH astronomers uncover risks to planets that could host life

Researchers have discovered that far-ultraviolet radiation from stellar flares on red dwarf stars can be three times more energetic than previously thought. This finding challenges existing models of exoplanet habitability and suggests that many stars may pose a risk to the potential for life on planets around them.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 5, 2024
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.

Sun’s magnetic field originates surprisingly close to the surface

Researchers have discovered that the sun's magnetic field is generated about 20,000 miles below its surface, contradicting previous theories. This finding helps scientists better understand the sun's dynamic processes and could lead to more accurate forecasts of powerful solar storms.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 22, 2024

Eruption of mega-magnetic star lights up nearby galaxy

An international team of researchers, including those from the University of Geneva, detected a giant magnetar eruption coming from a neutron star with an exceptionally strong magnetic field. The discovery was made using ESA's satellite INTEGRAL and confirms that magnetars are young neutron stars.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature·TypeNews article·DateApr 24, 2024

Hydrogen recombination found to be most plausible explanation for high levels of energy in stellar superflares

Researchers analyzed 42 superflares using two models and concluded that hydrogen recombination is the most physically plausible explanation for high levels of energy. This model is supported by flare processes described in solar flares, which are well-studied phenomena.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateApr 15, 2024
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.

Tracing the largest solar storm in modern times from tree rings in Lapland

Researchers from the University of Helsinki used tree ring analysis to measure radiocarbon concentration after a massive solar storm, revealing new insights into atmospheric dynamics. The study provides valuable information on how to prepare for future threats from solar storms, which could disrupt electrical and mobile networks.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 4, 2024

Will this new solar maximum solve the puzzle of the Sun’s gamma-ray picture?

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.

SourceFaculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateFeb 7, 2024
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

The hottest catalog of the year: the most comprehensive list of slow-building solar flares yet

Researchers have cataloged nearly 1400 slow-rising flares using Chandrayaan-2 data, revealing a significant increase in the number of slow-building flares compared to previous decades. The study suggests that solar flares may exhibit different behaviors, including varying rates of rise and fall.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalSolar Physics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 31, 2024

Fledgling planets discovered around a newly formed star

Researchers have discovered a multi-planet system that provides a rare glimpse into the formation of planets around a young star. The system consists of six confirmed planets and potentially a seventh, all forming under similar conditions at an age of just 700 million years.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·DateJan 29, 2024