Parker Solar Probe Flies Close Enough to the Sun to See the Source of the Fast Solar Wind

Where does the solar wind come from? That’s a question solar physicists have wanted an answer to for decades. Now, the Parker Solar Probe is showing them exactly where this stream of particles exits our star on a journey out through interplanetary space. Parker follows an orbit that takes it very close to the Sun. … Continue reading "Parker Solar Probe Flies Close Enough to the Sun to See the Source of the Fast Solar Wind" The post Parker Solar Probe Flies Close Enough to the Sun to See the Source of the Fast Solar Wind appeared first on Universe Today.

Has JWST Finally Found the First Stars in the Univese?

New observations from JWST hint at pockets of new gas in the halo of more evolved galaxies, where these first-generation stars could still form. The post Has JWST Finally Found the First Stars in the Univese? appeared first on Universe Today.

If We Can Master Artificial Photosynthesis, We Can Thrive in Space

In a recent study, a team led by the University of Warwick propose a new type of life support system that relies on artificial photosynthesis. The post If We Can Master Artificial Photosynthesis, We Can Thrive in Space appeared first on Universe Today.

Billion-year-old grease hints at long history of complex cells

Our ancestors once thrived on cholesterols that are now just reaction intermediates.

Geoengineering is Shockingly Inexpensive

Despite decades of warnings and international climate agreements, global carbon emissions are still rising. Carbon emissions seem like an unstoppable juggernaut as energy-hungry humans keep breeding and pursuing more affluent lifestyles. Reducing emissions won’t be enough to confront the climate crisis; we need additional solutions. Geoengineering, also called climate engineering, could be the solution we … Continue reading "Geoengineering is Shockingly Inexpensive" The post Geoengineering is Shockingly Inexpensive appeared first on Universe Today.

If Black Holes Evaporate, Everything Evaporates

Stephen Hawking predicted that black holes wouldn't last forever, eventually evaporating into a smear of particles. According to a new study, Hawking's theories don't go far enough. The post If Black Holes Evaporate, Everything Evaporates appeared first on Universe Today.

Gemini North Returns to Service Just in Time to See a New Supernova

The 8-meter Gemini North telescope has been brought back online after seven months of repairs and refurbishment of its primary mirror. The timing couldn’t have been better, as the telescope was able to capture the brand-new supernova in the famous Pinwheel Galaxy. The bright supernova was first discovered on May 19th, and telescopes worldwide have … Continue reading "Gemini North Returns to Service Just in Time to See a New Supernova" The post Gemini North Returns to Service Just in Time to See a New Supernova appeared first on Universe Today.

Nuclear-Powered Cargo Ships Are Trying to Stage a Comeback

Faced with the difficult task of decarbonizing, some shipping companies are taking another look at a polarizing solution—nuclear fission.

Long Space Missions Take a Toll On Astronaut Brains, Study Finds

A new study suggests that long missions and frequent voyages to space may have an impact on astronaut brains. Space.com reports: The most enduring spaceflight-related changes in the brain yet detected are the way cavities in the brain known as ventricles can enlarge by up to 25%. Ventricles are filled with cerebrospinal fluid, which helps protect, nourish and remove waste from the brain. The absence of a gravitational pull leads the brain to shift upward in the skull and causes the ventricles to expand. It remains uncertain what the long-term consequences of this ventricle expansion might be. "How this impacts performance and long-term health is an open question," study senior author Rachael Seidler, a space health researcher at the University of Florida in Gainesville, told Space.com. One mystery regarding this ventricle expansion is whether it differs with factors such as varying mission length, the number of previous missions flown, or time between missions. To find out, Seidler and her colleagues scanned the brains of 30 astronauts using MRI before and after spaceflight. They looked at eight astronauts who went on two-week missions, 18 on six-month missions, and four who went on longer missions of up to one year. The scientists found that longer spaceflight missions resulted in greater ventricle swelling, most of which happened during the first six months in space. "The biggest jump comes when you go from two weeks to six months in space," Seidler said in a statement. "There is no measurable change in the ventricles' volume after only two weeks." Given the rise in space tourism in recent years, these findings may prove welcome, as shorter space trips appear to cause little physical change to the brain. In addition, the rate of ventricle enlargement tapered off after six months in space, which may also be good news â" these changes don't continue to increase over time, Seidler said. "This is important to know for future longer duration missions, such as to Mars," she noted. The scientists also found that less than three years between spaceflights may not provide enough time to give the ventricles enough time to fully recover to how they were before spaceflight. "This is a surprisingly long time," Seidler said. The researchers plan to examine long-term health in astronauts, "including testing crewmembers out to five years post-flight," said Seidler. "This will help enormously in terms of understanding the potential implications of the current results. But the work is expected to take 10 years." The research has been published in the journal Scientific Reports. Read more of this story at Slashdot.