“Iron snow” falling in the core gives planets wavering magnetic fields

The intensely hot interior of planets isn’t somewhere you’d expect to find snow, but scientists do suspect that “iron snow” falls on the Earth’s core. Now, a new study has modeled the dynamics in the lab and found that iron snow could make magnetic fie… Continue reading “Iron snow” falling in the core gives planets wavering magnetic fields

Solar wind vanishes completely, causing Mars’ magnetosphere to swell

The solar wind is a constant feature of the solar system – except on Christmas Day 2022 when it suddenly vanished completely. The odd event was detected by a NASA spacecraft orbiting Mars, which found that the Red Planet’s magnetosphere tripled in size… Continue reading Solar wind vanishes completely, causing Mars’ magnetosphere to swell

Bizarre new electronic state discovered in five-layer graphene

It seems there’s no end to surprises from everybody’s favorite wonder material, graphene. MIT physicists have now discovered yet another brand new electronic state hiding in this overachieving little material – something they give the bizarre name of “… Continue reading Bizarre new electronic state discovered in five-layer graphene

“Starquakes” could be behind mysterious radio signals from space

Cosmic radio signals are beaming to Earth every day – and astronomers are stumped as to their origin. Now a new study finds evidence that these signals, known as fast radio bursts (FRBs), could be caused by “starquakes.”Continue ReadingCategory: Space,… Continue reading “Starquakes” could be behind mysterious radio signals from space

Astronomers discover new type of star that could unlock cosmic mystery

Astronomers have discovered a new type of star, and it appears to be a major clue in solving a long-standing cosmic mystery. This massive helium star has an ultra-strong magnetic field, meaning it could be the preliminary stage of a magnetar – a dense … Continue reading Astronomers discover new type of star that could unlock cosmic mystery

Unexplained cosmic radio signal repeats every 21 minutes for 35 years

Astronomers have detected a radio signal in our galaxy that blares for several minutes at a time, every 21 minutes, and has been doing so for at least 35 years. This bizarre signal doesn’t fit the bill for any known object without some major revisions … Continue reading Unexplained cosmic radio signal repeats every 21 minutes for 35 years

Bizarre two-faced white dwarf star defies explanation

The ingredients in stars are usually pretty evenly mixed throughout, but now astronomers have discovered a bizarre star with two distinct faces, each made of a different element, which defies explanation.Continue ReadingCategory: Space, ScienceTags: As… Continue reading Bizarre two-faced white dwarf star defies explanation

DARPA launches program in quest for “Red October” silent submarine drive

Taking a plot point from the 1990 Sean Connery thriller The Hunt for Red October, DARPA is working on a super-silent submarine drive that has no moving parts and provides propulsion through the water using magnets and electricity.Continue ReadingCatego… Continue reading DARPA launches program in quest for “Red October” silent submarine drive