Thursday, May 30, 2024

Space & Physics: When supernovas hit Earth

May 29Too-close-for-comfort supernovas, "sandblasting" lunar rockets, and nasty space weather that may mess with migratory animals are on this week's shortlist, but our top stories aren't all so gloomy. In good news, Voyager 1 is back in action, and scientists have reported new breakthroughs for black holes and for Venus. Enjoy!

--Lee Billings, Senior Editor, Space and Physics


Solar Storms Are Probably Messing with Wildlife Migrations

Solar storms that create auroras affect Earth's magnetic field and may cause migratory species, such as many whales and birds, to lose their way

Superstorm-Spawning Sunspot Cluster Is Facing Earth Again. What's Next?

The massive sunspot region that gave Earthlings stunning auroral displays earlier in May is back from its trip around the far side of the sun

A Mystery about the Universe's First Black Holes May Be Solved at Last

Astrophysicist Priyamvada Natarajan predicted that black holes can form without the help of stars. New observations support her theory

Voyager 1's Revival Offers Inspiration for Everyone on Earth

Instruments may fail, but humanity's most distant sentinel will keep exploring, and inspiring us all

Rocket 'Sandblasts' Could Pose Major Risk on Moon, New Studies Warn

A new theory tested on Apollo-era data suggests that high-speed moon dust could pose engineering hazards—and diplomatic headaches

Surprising Supernova Scars Cover the Earth

A supernova showering Earth with radioactive debris is a surprisingly common cosmic occurrence

Volcanoes on Venus Might Be Erupting Right Now

Scientists have found signs of fresh flowing lava on Venus in decades-old data from NASA's Magellan spacecraft

The Science of Heliophysics Demands Its Moment in the Sun

NASA's head of heliophysics explains how we weathered the worst solar storm of a generation—and discusses the challenges we face in preparing for the next one

Next-Generation Cosmic Observatory Hits South Pole Stumbling Block

Cosmic Microwave Background Stage 4, a top-priority project for U.S. astrophysics, was designed to make breakthrough observations of the universe's very earliest moments. Now the U.S. government says it can't currently support the project's construction at the South Pole

Scientist Pankaj

Today in Science: Giant viruses could affect sea-level rise

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