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Categories: Geoscience: Geomagnetic Storms, Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published Mystery of solar cycle illuminated


The sun's convection zone plays a key role in the generation and evolution of the Sun's magnetic field. Analyzing data sets spanning more than 20 years, researchers have obtained the most comprehensive picture of the north-south flow of plasma in the convection zone ever. The flow goes around the convection zone in each hemisphere in about 22 years.
Published New 'sun clock' quantifies extreme space weather switch on-off


Extreme space weather events can significantly impact systems such as satellites, communications systems, power distribution and aviation. They are driven by solar activity which is known to have an irregular but roughly 11 year cycle. By devising a new, regular 'sun clock', researchers have found that the switch on and off of periods of high solar activity is quite sharp, and are able to determine the switch on-off times.
Published New research deepens understanding of Earth's interaction with the solar wind


Scientists have reproduced a process that occurs in space to deepen understanding of what happens when the Earth encounters the solar wind.
Published New sunspots potentially herald increased solar activity


On May 29, 2020, a family of sunspots -- dark spots that freckle the face of the Sun, representing areas of complex magnetic fields -- sported the biggest solar flare since October 2017. Although the sunspots are not yet visible (they will soon rotate into view over the left limb of the Sun), NASA spacecraft spotted the flares high above them.
Published How new data can make ecological forecasts as good as weather forecasts


Soon, ecologists thinks we'll be able to pull off the same forecasting feat for bird migrations and wildlife populations as for climate forecasts. That's because just as those recurring changes in climate have predictable consequences for humans, they also have predictable effects on plants and animals.
Published Solar storms may leave gray whales 'blind' and stranded


A new study offers some of the first evidence that gray whales might depend on a magnetic sense to find their way through the ocean. This evidence comes from the discovery that whales are more likely to strand themselves on days when solar storms disrupt Earth's magnetic field.
Published Anti-solar cells: A photovoltaic cell that works at night


What if solar cells worked at night? That's no joke. In fact, a specially designed photovoltaic cell could generate up to 50 watts of power per square meter under ideal conditions at night, about a quarter of what a conventional solar panel can generate in daytime, according to a recent concept article.
Published Space super-storm likelihood estimated from longest period of magnetic field observations


A 'great' space weather super-storm large enough to cause significant disruption to our electronic and networked systems occurred on average once in every 25 years according to a new study.
Published Finding a killer electron hot spot in Earth's Van Allen radiation belts


JAXA and NASA satellite observations show where killer electrons are generated in the Van Allen radiation belts surrounding Earth.
Published Making connections: Bringing astrophysical processes down to Earth


Magnetic reconnection, a process in which magnetic field lines tear and come back together, releasing large amounts of kinetic energy, occurs throughout the universe. The process gives rise to auroras, solar flares and geomagnetic storms that can disrupt cell phone service and electric grids on Earth. A major challenge in the study of magnetic reconnection, however, is bridging the gap between these large-scale astrophysical scenarios and small-scale experiments that can be done in a lab.
Published Lighting the path to renewable energy


Scientists have developed a novel, standardized way of quantifying and comparing these variations in solar power. The new study may help guide the development and performance of solar photovoltaic farms -- systems that harness the sun's energy and convert it to electricity.
Published Improved estimates of Brazilian Amazon gains and losses


A new study generated improved annual maps of tropical forest cover in the Brazilian Amazon in 2000-2017 and provided better characterization on the spatio-temporal dynamics of forest area, loss and gain in this region. The Amazon basin has the largest tropical forests in the world. Rapid changes in land use, climate and other human activities have resulted in substantial deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon over the past several decades.
Published Sun's solar wind and plasma 'burps' created on Earth


A new study by physicists mimicked solar winds in the lab, confirming how they develop and providing an Earth-bound model for the future study of solar physics.
Published Scientists deepen understanding of magnetic fields surrounding Earth and other planets


New research into waves that travel through Earth's magnetosphere deepen our understanding of the region and its interaction with our own planet, and open up new ways to study other planets across the galaxy.
Published Indian Ocean causes drought and heatwaves in South America


Researchers have revealed that atmospheric waves originating from convection over the Indian Ocean had a dramatic impact on climate conditions over South America and South Atlantic, leading to drought and marine heatwaves. Importantly, these conditions are not a one-off and are likely to happen again.
Published Northern lights' 'social networking' reveals true scale of magnetic storms


Magnetic disturbances caused by phenomena like the northern lights can be tracked by a 'social network' of ground-based instruments, according to a new study.
Published Rare 'superflares' could one day threaten Earth


New research shows that the sun could experience a massive burst of energy called a superflare sometime in the next several thousand years.
Published Scientists discover what powers celestial phenomenon STEVE


The celestial phenomenon known as STEVE is likely caused by a combination of heating of charged particles in the atmosphere and energetic electrons like those that power the aurora, according to new research. In a new study, scientists found STEVE's source region in space and identified two mechanisms that cause it.
Published New model accurately predicts harmful space weather


A new, first-of-its-kind space weather model reliably predicts space storms of high-energy particles that are harmful to many satellites and spacecraft orbiting in the Earth's outer radiation belt.
Published Unprecedented number of warm-water species moved northward during marine heatwave


A new study documents an unprecedented number of southern marine species moving northward into California and as far north as Oregon during the 2014-2016 marine heatwave. Of 67 rare, warm-water species sightings observed, 37 had never been documented so far north before.