Category Astronomy/Space

Toward Unification of Turbulence Framework – weak-to-strong transition discovered in turbulence

Photo : Siqi Zhao & Huirong Yan

Astrophysicists from the University of Potsdam have made a significant step toward solving the last puzzle in magnetohydrodynamic turbulence theory by observing the weak to strong transition in the space plasma turbulence surrounding Earth with newly developed multi-spacecraft analysis methods. Their pioneering discovery was published today in the journal Nature Astronomy.

Turbulence is ubiquitous in nature. It exists everywhere, from our daily lives to the distant universe, while being labelled as “the last great unsolved problem of classical physics” by Richard Feynman.

Prof. Dr...

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Lunar Landforms indicate Geologically Recent Seismic Activity on the Moon

Lunar landforms indicate geologically recent seismic activity on the Moon
Global random spatial age distribution (0–250 million years) of 34 lunar lobate scarps in this study. Credit: Credit: Earth and Planetary Science Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2024.118636

The moon’s steadfast illumination of our night sky has been a source of wonder and inspiration for millennia. Since the first satellite images of its surface were taken in the 1960s, our understanding of Earth’s companion through time has developed immeasurably. A complex interplay of cosmic interactions and planetary systems, the moon’s surface displays a plethora of landforms evidencing its history.

One such feature is lunar lobate scarps, long (<10 km) curvilinear landforms resulting from thrust fault movement, where older rocks are pushed above younger units leading to crustal shorten...

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NASA’s Chandra Releases Doubleheader of Blockbuster Hits

Visual Description: Cassiopeia A & Crab Nebula Timelapses This is a still image from a split-screen video showing the change of two objects in space over time. The Cassiopeia A supernova remnant is on the left and the Crab Nebula is on the right, divided by a white vertical line. Cassiopeia A resembles a disk of electric blue light with glowing white streaks. X-rays from Chandra reveal hot gas, mostly from supernova debris from the destroyed star, and include elements like silicon and iron. Brilliant stars in white and gold, seen in optical light from Hubble, permeate the field of view. The Crab Nebula resembles the shape of a spinning toy top, made of white wispy clouds, resting on its side. The top-like shape is outlined by feathery shrouds of electric blue light...
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Simulated Microgravity Affects Sleep and Physiological rhythms

Simulated effects of microgravity significantly affect rhythmicity and sleep in humans, a new study from the University of Surrey finds. Such disturbances could negatively affect the physiology and performance of astronauts in space.

Previous findings have shown that astronauts exposed to microgravity, simulated via 60 days of constant bed rest at a six-degree head-down tilt angle, experience changes to physiology, including immune suppression, increased inflammation, and reduced muscle mass and bone density. However, a less-studied aspect of physiology concerning the effects of microgravity is sleep and biological rhythms.

Lead author Dr María-Ángeles Bonmatí-Carrión, a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Surrey (currently at CIBERFES (Carlos III Health Institute), Un...

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