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Categories: Geoscience: Geomagnetic Storms, Space: The Solar System
Published To watch a comet form, a spacecraft could tag along for a journey toward the sun


A new article proposes that space probes could hitch a ride with 'centaurs' as they become comets. Along the way, the spacecraft would gather data that would otherwise be impossible to record -- including how comets, Earth-like planets, and even the solar system formed.
Published A 5-sigma standard model anomaly is possible


One of the best chances for proving beyond-the-standard-model physics relies on something called the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix. The standard model insists that the CKM matrix, which describes the mixing of quarks, should be unitary. But growing evidence suggests that during certain forms of radioactive decay, the unitarity of the CKM matrix might break.
Published Radio signals from distant stars suggest hidden planets


Using the world's most powerful radio antenna, scientists have discovered stars unexpectedly blasting out radio waves, possibly indicating the existence of hidden planets.
Published Chang'e-5 samples reveal key age of moon rocks


A lunar probe launched by the Chinese space agency recently brought back the first fresh samples of rock and debris from the moon in more than 40 years. Now an international team of scientists has determined the age of these moon rocks at close to 1.97 billion years old.
Published Scientists confirm decrease in Pluto’s atmospheric density


When Pluto passed in front of a star on the night of August 15, 2018, astronomers deployed telescopes at numerous sites in the U.S. and Mexico to observe Pluto's atmosphere as it was briefly backlit by the well-placed star. Scientists used this occultation event to measure the overall abundance of Pluto's tenuous atmosphere and found compelling evidence that it is beginning to disappear, refreezing back onto its surface as it moves farther away from the Sun.
Published ‘Planet confusion’ could slow Earth-like exoplanet exploration


A new study finds that next-generation telescopes used to see exoplanets could confuse Earth-like planets with other types of planets in the same solar system.
Published Earth and Venus grew up as rambunctious planets


Using machine learning and simulations of giant impacts, researchers found that the planets residing in the inner solar system were likely born from repeated hit-and-run collisions, challenging conventional models of planet formation.
Published This is what it looks like when a black hole snacks on a star


Analyzing observations of an X-ray flare and fitting the data with theoretical models, astronomers documented a fatal encounter between an unlucky star and a black hole.
Published Peering into the Moon's shadows with AI


Permanently shadowed lunar craters contain water ice, but are difficult to image. A machine learning algorithm now provides sharper images.
Published Shining a light on Moon’s oldest geologic imprints


New research has found the Moon may have been subjected to much greater impacts from asteroids and other bodies than previously thought, building on our understanding of the Moon's earliest geologic evolution.
Published Researchers enlist robot swarms to mine lunar resources


Building a base on the moon was once something out of science fiction, but now scientists are starting to consider it more seriously. Researchers are investigating methods for mining lunar resources to build such a base, using swarms of autonomous robots.
Published Risk from solar flares to planes is real but not worth costly mitigation


Aviation guidelines aim to mitigate the effects of radiation, mainly caused by galactic cosmic rays and solar energetic particles, or SEP. The fluxes in the former are stable and predictable: dose rates are no higher than 10 µSv/h at the normal flight altitude of 12 km. But in the case of SEP, does the frequency of detected solar flares justify the costs of countermeasures? Current mitigation procedures instruct planes to lower altitude or change or cancel flight paths altogether, significantly raising expenses.
Published Will it be safe for humans to fly to Mars?


A human space mission would be viable if it doesn't exceed four years, an international research team concludes in new research.
Published Here comes the Sun: Planetary scientists find evidence of solar-driven change on the Moon


A new study uncovered important clues to help understand the surprisingly active lunar surface. The scientists found that solar radiation could be a more important source of lunar iron nanoparticles than previously thought.
Published Fast changes between the solar seasons resolved by new sun clock


Violent activity on our Sun leads to some of the most extreme space weather events on Earth, impacting systems such as satellites, communications systems, power distribution and aviation. The roughly 11 year cycle of solar activity has three 'seasons', each of which affects the space weather felt at Earth differently: (i) solar maximum, the sun is active and disordered, when space weather is stormy and events are irregular (ii) the declining phase, when the sun and solar wind becomes ordered, and space weather is more moderate and (iii) solar minimum, when activity is quiet. Scientists found that the change from solar maximum to the declining phase is fast, happening within a few (27 day) solar rotations.
Published Protecting Earth from space storms


A major space weather event could have a catastrophic impact on Earth, disabling communications and electrical systems. Researchers are using the Frontera supercomputer to develop new geomagnetic forecasting methods and improve the Geospace Model used by NOAA for operational purposes. They hope to increase the lead time for space weather events from 30 minutes to 1-3 days, localize space weather forecasts, and provide uncertainty estimates.
Published Magnetic patterns hidden in meteorites reveal early Solar System dynamics


Researchers have developed a novel technique to investigate the dynamics of the early Solar System by analyzing magnetites in meteorites utilizing the wave nature of electrons.
Published Dragonfly mission to Titan announces big science goals


The NASA Dragonfly mission will send a rotorcraft relocatable lander to the surface of Saturn's moon Titan in the mid-2030s; it will be the first mission to explore the surface of Titan.
Published Small stars share similar dynamics to our sun, key to planet habitability


Scientists show that 'cool' stars like the sun share dynamic surface behaviors that influence their energetic and magnetic environments. Stellar magnetic activity is key to whether a given star can host planets that support life.
Published Lunar samples solve mystery of the moon's supposed magnetic shield


Tests of glass samples gathered on Apollo missions show magnetization may result from impacts of objects like meteors, not as a result of magnetization from the presence of a magnetic shield.