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Categories: Energy: Nuclear, Space: Exploration
Published Researchers design simpler magnets for twisty facilities that could lead to steady-state fusion operation


Scientists have used a mathematical technique to design powerful magnets with straighter shapes for stellarator fusion facilities, allowing for easier manufacturing and maintenance.
Published Solar beats nuclear at many potential settlement sites on Mars


While most missions to the moon and other planets rely upon solar power, scientists have assumed that any extended surface mission involving humans would require a more reliable source of energy: nuclear power. Improvements in photovoltaics are upending this calculus. A new study concludes that a solar power system would weigh less than a nuclear system, and would be sufficient to power a colony at sites over nearly half the surface.
Published New production method promises to end medical radioisotope shortages


Technetium-99m is the world's most commonly used medical radioisotope, but regularly suffers from supply chain shortages, threatening the ability of doctors to diagnose a raft of ailments. But an alternative production technique looks set to make the radioisotope much more easily produced.
Published Hubble sheds light on origins of supermassive black holes


Astronomers have identified a rapidly growing black hole in the early universe that is considered a crucial 'missing link' between young star-forming galaxies and the first supermassive black holes. They used data from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to make this discovery.
Published Validating models for next-generation fusion facilities


The National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U) could serve as the model for a fusion energy pilot plant.
Published Study explores effects of extended spaceflight on brain


Scientists from the U.S., Europe and Russia are part of a team releasing the results of a large collaborative study involving the effects of long duration spaceflight on the brain.
Published Most precise ever measurement of W boson mass to be in tension with the Standard Model


Scientists have achieved the most precise measurement to date of the mass of the W boson, one of nature's force-carrying particles. The measured value shows tension with the value expected based on the Standard Model of particle physics.
Published Hubble probes extreme weather on ultra-hot Jupiters


Astronomers have discovered bloated Jupiter-sized worlds that are so precariously close to their parent star they are being roasted at seething temperatures above 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That's hot enough to vaporize most metals, including titanium. They have the hottest planetary atmospheres ever seen. Hubble astronomers are reporting on bizarre weather conditions on these sizzling worlds. It's raining vaporized rock on one planet, and another one has its upper atmosphere getting hotter rather than cooler because it is being 'sunburned' by intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation from its star.
Published Arctic simulation of Moon-like habitat shows wellbeing sessions can improve mental health in extreme isolation


Researchers are investigating the psychological impact of social isolation in harsh environments, such as on the Moon.
Published Record broken: Hubble spots farthest star ever seen


NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has established an extraordinary new benchmark: detecting the light of a star that existed within the first billion years after the universe's birth in the big bang -- the farthest individual star ever seen to date.
Published Researchers discover source of super-fast electron 'rain'


Scientists have discovered a new source of super-fast, energetic electrons raining down on Earth's atmosphere, a phenomenon that contributes to the colorful aurora borealis and poses hazards to satellites, spacecraft and astronauts.
Published Physicists 'shine' light on inner details and breakup of simple nucleus


Scientists have found a new way to 'see' inside the simplest atomic nuclei to better understand the 'glue' that holds the building blocks of matter together. The results come from collisions of photons (particles of light) with deuterons, the simplest atomic nuclei (made of just one proton bound to one neutron). The photons act somewhat like an x-ray beam to provide the first glimpse of how particles called gluons are arranged within the deuteron.
Published New pumpkin shaped nucleus radiates protons with record setting rate


A new atomic nucleus 149-Lutetium, consisting of 71 protons and 78 neutrons, has been synthesized.
Published Nuclear reactor power levels can be monitored using seismic and acoustic data


Seismic and acoustic data recorded 50 meters away from a research nuclear reactor could predict whether the reactor was in an on or off state with 98% accuracy, according to a new study.
Published Magnetic reconnection breakthrough may help predict space weather


Researchers have recently discovered a breakthrough in magnetic reconnection that could ultimately help predict space weather.
Published Selecting the right structural materials for fusion reactors


Do two promising structural materials corrode at very high temperatures when in contact with 'liquid metal fuel breeders' in fusion reactors? Researchers now have the answer. This high-temperature compatibility of reactor structural materials with the liquid breeder -- a lining around the reactor core that absorbs and traps the high energy neutrons produced in the plasma inside the reactor -- is key to the success of a fusion reactor design.
Published Self-sustained divertor oscillation mechanism identified in fusion plasma experiment


To harness the forces that power the Sun, researchers heat fuel to such a high temperature that atoms melt into electrons and nuclei to form a hot, gaseous soup called plasma. The plasma can rip through any material on Earth, so it must be confined by magnetic fields -- but it can only be controlled for short periods. Now, in a first step to prolonged control, researchers have discovered that the underlying mechanism mirrors the unlikely biological predator-prey model.
Published Deep neural network to find hidden turbulent motion on the sun


Scientists developed a neural network deep learning technique to extract hidden turbulent motion information from observations of the Sun. Tests on three different sets of simulation data showed that it is possible to infer the horizontal motion from data for the temperature and vertical motion. This technique will benefit solar astronomy and other fields such as plasma physics, fusion science, and fluid dynamics.
Published Galaxy collision creates 'space triangle' in new Hubble image


A spectacular head-on collision between two galaxies fueled the unusual triangular-shaped star-birthing frenzy, as captured in a new image from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.
Published Ushering in safe, low-carbon electricity generated by nuclear fusion


Engineers are working to develop a new, economically viable and safe source of low carbon electricity through nuclear fusion.