Exploring How Gas Fuels Diverse Microbial Life in Caves – Sciworthy

Posted on January 27, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

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Caves are often dark, damp, and remote. While they lack the nutrients and energy sources that sustain life in other ecosystems, they still host a diverse array of bacteria and archaea. But how do these microorganisms acquire enough energy to thrive? A team of researchers from Australia and Europe investigated this intriguing question by examining Australian caves.

Previous studies identified that microorganisms in nutrient-poor soils can harness energy from the atmosphere through trace gases, including hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane. These gases are present in minute quantities, classified as trace gases. Microbes possess specific proteins that can accept electrons from these gas molecules, enabling them to utilize these gases as energy sources, such as hydrogenase, dehydrogenase, or monooxygenase, fueling their metabolic processes.

The Australian research team hypothesized that cave-dwelling microbes may be using trace gases for survival. To test this, they studied four ventilated caves in southeastern Australia. The researchers collected sediment samples at four points along a horizontal line that extended from the cave entrance to 25 meters (approximately 80 feet) deep inside the cave, resulting in a total of 94 sediment samples.

The team treated the sediment samples with specific chemicals to extract microbial DNA, using it to identify both the abundance and diversity of microorganisms present. They found multiple groups of microorganisms throughout the cave, including Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Chloroflexota, and Thermoproteota. Notably, the density and diversity of microbes were significantly higher near the cave entrance, with three times more microorganisms in those regions compared to further inside.

The team utilized gene sequencing to analyze the microbial DNA for genes linked to trace gas consumption. Results revealed that 54% of cave microorganisms carried genes coding for proteins involved in utilizing trace gases like hydrogenases, dehydrogenases, and monooxygenases.

To assess the generality of their findings, the researchers searched existing data on microbial populations from 12 other ventilated caves worldwide. They discovered that genes for trace gas consumption were similarly prevalent among other cave microorganisms, concluding that trace gases might significantly support microbial life and activity in caves.

Next, the researchers measured gas concentrations within the caves. They deployed static magnetic flux chambers to collect atmospheric gas samples at four points along the sampling line, capturing 25 milliliters (about 1 ounce) of gas each time. Using a gas chromatograph, they analyzed the samples and found that the concentrations of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane were approximately four times higher near the cave entrance compared to deeper areas. This suggests that microorganisms might be metabolizing these trace gases for energy.

To validate their findings further, they constructed a static magnetic flux chamber in the lab, incubating cave sediment with hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane at natural concentration levels. They confirmed that microbes also consumed trace gases in controlled conditions.

Finally, the researchers explored how these cave microbes obtained organic carbon. They conducted carbon isotope analysis, focusing on carbon-12 and carbon-13 ratios, which can vary based on microbial metabolic processes. Using an isotope ratio mass spectrometer, they determined that cave bacteria had a lower percentage of carbon-13, indicating their reliance on trace gases to generate carbon within the cave ecosystem.

The researchers concluded that atmospheric trace gases serve as a crucial energy source for microbial communities in caves, fostering a diverse array of microorganisms. They recommended that future studies examine how climatic changes, such as fluctuations in temperature and precipitation, might influence the use of atmospheric trace gases by cave-dwelling microorganisms.

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Ancient Volcanoes: Understanding Low Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Earth’s History

Posted on January 19, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Arc-shaped volcanoes like Japan’s Sakurajima release carbon dioxide from the Earth’s interior

Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images

Arc volcanoes like Sakurajima releasing carbon dioxide — Arc-shaped volcanoes like Japan’s Sakurajima release carbon dioxide from the Earth’s interior

Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images

New research suggests that the impact of volcanoes on Earth’s climate may not be as ancient as previously believed.

The Earth’s climate has experienced shifts between “icehouse” and “greenhouse” conditions, largely dictated by greenhouse gas levels like carbon dioxide.

Volcanic arcs, including significant eruptions from mountain ranges such as Japan’s, release CO2 from deep within the Earth. Recent findings indicate that dinosaurs became a substantial source of carbon emissions only towards the end of their reign, approximately 100 million years ago, according to Ben Mather and his team from the University of Melbourne.

This correlates with the emergence of phytoplankton featuring calcium carbonate scales in the oceans approximately 150 million years ago. When these organisms perish, they deposit large amounts of calcium carbonate on the ocean floor.

As tectonic plates shift, these significant reservoirs of carbon are pushed into the mantle and recycled into the Earth’s molten core via a process known as subduction.

“Most of the carbon derived from plankton on the subducting oceanic plate mixes into the melt interior, but a portion is released through volcanic arcs,” explains Mather.

Before the emergence of scaly plankton, volcanic arc emissions contained relatively lower levels of CO2, according to Mather.

Through modeling, Mather and colleagues examined tectonics’ long-term impact on the carbon cycle over the past 500 million years. They discovered that much of the carbon stored within Earth throughout its history was released through crustal fractures in a process termed rifting, not primarily through volcanic arcs.

Rifting, a geological process where continents separate, can occur on land (as in the East African Rift) or along mid-ocean ridges.

“As tectonic plates separate, they effectively ‘roof off’ parts of the molten Earth,” Mather states. “This process generates new crust at mid-ocean ridges, releasing carbon.” The amount of carbon entering the atmosphere from continental fractures and mid-ocean ridges relies on the cracks’ length and the rate at which they separate, a process that has remained relatively stable. However, emissions from volcanic arcs have surged in the last 100 million years due to new carbon reservoirs formed by plankton.

Currently, Earth is in a temporary warm phase called an interglacial period, nested within a larger ice age that began 34 million years ago. One reason for the persistent cold phases is that phytoplankton sequester substantial amounts of carbon from the ocean, depositing it on the sea floor. Although volcanic emissions are rising, they still pale in comparison to the carbon stored by phytoplankton and that sequestered through tectonic movements.

According to Alan Collins and his team from the University of Adelaide, modeling studies like this are crucial for comprehending how volcanic and tectonic activities have influenced climate patterns over geological timescales.

“The composition of marine sediments has shifted as new organisms evolved, utilizing diverse elements, including the rise of calcium carbonate-based zooplankton,” Collins emphasizes.

Reference journal: Nature Communications Earth and Environment, DOI TK

Explore the Land of Fire and Ice: Iceland

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes. Experience volcanic and geological marvels by day, and chase the mesmerizing Northern Lights by night (October).

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ALMA Discovers Superheated Gas in Distant Galaxy Protocluster

Posted on January 9, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Revolutionary findings from the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) have uncovered scorching intracluster gas in the young galaxy cluster SPT2349-56, just 1.4 billion years post-Big Bang. This groundbreaking discovery challenges existing models of galaxy cluster evolution.

Artist’s impression of the forming galaxy cluster SPT2349-56, showcasing radio jets from active galaxies within a hot intracluster atmosphere. Image credit: Lingxiao Yuan.

The SPT2349-56 galaxy cluster is located approximately 12.4 billion light-years away, providing a glimpse into the universe when it was only 1.4 billion years old, or about ten percent of its current age.

This compact protocluster hosts multiple actively growing supermassive black holes and over 30 starburst galaxies.

These starburst galaxies are forming stars at a staggering rate—1,000 times faster than the Milky Way—and are densely packed within a space only three times larger than the Milky Way itself.

“We were not prepared to discover such a hot stellar atmosphere at this early stage in the universe’s history,” remarked Dazhi Zhou, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of British Columbia.

Astronomers utilized a unique observation methodology known as thermal observation, particularly employing the Sunyaev Zeldovich (tSZ) Effect.

This approach identifies faint shadows cast by hot electrons in galaxy clusters against the faint cosmic microwave background, rather than the light emitted directly by the gas.

Previously, astronomers believed that galaxy clusters lacked the maturity required for their gas to heat up and evolve during the early cosmic era.

The discovery of hot cluster atmospheres had never been recorded within the initial 3 billion years following the Big Bang.

“SPT2349-56 reshapes our understanding,” stated Professor Scott Chapman, a researcher at Dalhousie University and the University of British Columbia.

“Our findings indicate that the cluster’s atmosphere is superheating remarkably early—just 1.4 billion years after the Big Bang—during a period when we anticipated the gas to be cooler and accumulating slowly.”

“This raises the possibility that the formation of large clusters could heat their gas much more efficiently and intensely than our current models suggest.”

The intense explosion from SPT2349-56’s supermassive black hole, identified as a bright radio galaxy, may be an efficient mechanism for superheating the surrounding gas, according to the study.

This discovery implies that energetic phenomena, such as outbursts from supermassive black holes or violent starbursts, might have played significant roles in rapidly heating the gas in early galaxy clusters within the first billion years of the universe.

This superheating may be crucial for transforming these young, cold galaxy clusters into the vast, hot galaxy clusters observed today.

Current models may require reassessment regarding our understanding of how galaxies and their environments evolve.

This finding marks the earliest direct detection of hot cluster gases, pushing the boundaries of astronomical research into these environments.

The identification of a significant reservoir of hot plasma at such an early cosmic epoch forces scientists to reconsider the sequence and pace of galaxy cluster evolution.

It also generates new inquiries about the interplay between supermassive black holes and galaxy formation in shaping the universe.

“SPT2349-56 serves as an intriguing laboratory,” Zhou commented.

“We are witnessing intense star formation, energetic supermassive black holes, and this superheated atmosphere all confined within young, dense star clusters.”

“There remains a considerable observational gap between this chaotic initial phase and the more tranquil clusters observed later in cosmic history.”

“Mapping the evolution of the universe’s atmosphere over time will be a compelling avenue for future exploration.”

For further reading, see the published results in the journal Nature dated January 5, 2026.

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Zhou D. et al. Detection of hot intracluster gas at redshift 4.3 via Sunyaev Zeldovich. Nature, published online January 5, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09901-3

Source: www.sci.news

Caffeine Unveils New Insights into Star Formation in Dense Gas Environments

Posted on January 6, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers reveal new insights into the factors influencing star formation efficiency in the densest regions of galaxies through Caffeine research.

GAL316: A massive star-forming region. Image credit: ESO / M. Matten / André et al. / VVV.

In this groundbreaking study, astronomer Michael Mattern from the University of Paris-Saclay and his team meticulously mapped dense gas across 49 giant star-forming complexes located approximately 3,000 parsecs away within our galaxy’s disk.

“Creating stars is a challenging endeavor, and the process lacks efficiency,” the astronomers stated.

“Current understanding indicates that a certain minimum density of gas and dust is necessary for stars to form.”

“Only about 1 to 2 percent of the gas and dust in these regions is utilized in the ignition of a star.”

“Could denser regions exhibit higher efficiency in star formation?”

“We are examining GAL316, one of the remarkable stellar nurseries we observed, to explore this question,” they elaborated.

The ongoing CAFFEINE survey employs the ArTéMiS camera on the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX), a state-of-the-art radio telescope situated on the Chajnantor Plateau.

“APEX, managed by the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, has successfully captured the faint emissions of cold gas clouds, visible as blue glows in GAL316 images,” the researchers revealed.

“This glow overlays a starry backdrop, successfully recorded by ESO’s VISTA telescope.”

They discovered that as gas density increases past a specific threshold, the efficiency of star formation – the conversion rate of gas into stars – does not proportionately escalate.

This observation contradicts existing models that suggest a continual rise in star formation with density increases.

Conversely, the efficiency remains nearly constant in extremely dense gas, reinforcing the notion that stars primarily form within filamentous structures in clouds, a process dictated by the fragmentation of these filaments into protostar cores.

The findings suggest a potential gas density threshold for efficient star formation, bolstering the hypothesis that the physics of dense filaments governs star formation, rather than turbulence or feedback from nascent stars alone.

This research represents one of the most thorough efforts to date in connecting the physical structure of dense gas with star formation efficiency, paving the way for future observations and simulations that aim to elucidate the emergence of Sun-like stars from interstellar clouds.

“Our results indicate that the densest regions observed in this Caffeine study show similar efficiencies in star production compared to other stellar nurseries, provided they exceed the minimum density,” the scientists remarked.

Their findings are detailed in a published paper in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.

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M. Mattern et al. 2024. Investigating star formation efficiency in dense gas: Initial results from the CAFFEINE survey utilizing ArTéMiS. A&A 688, A163; doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202449908

Source: www.sci.news

Green Bank Telescope Maps Cold ‘Dark’ Gas in Cygnus X

Posted on October 30, 2025 by

An astronomer utilizing the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) has developed an extensive map of carbon monoxide (CO) and dark molecular gas in star-forming complexes, particularly in Cygnus X.

These images illustrate the location of CO-dark molecular gas within Cygnus X. Image credit: NSF/AUI/NSF’s NRAO/P.Vosteen.

For decades, scientists have recognized that most new stars are birthed in frigid clouds of molecular hydrogen gas.

A significant portion of this molecular hydrogen remains elusive to most telescopes as it fails to emit easily detectable light.

Astronomers have typically sought these clouds by examining carbon monoxide (CO), a molecule that serves as a glowing signal for star-forming regions.

However, it has been uncovered that CO houses a considerable amount of “non-glowing” gas conducive to star formation.

This concealed material, referred to as CO-dark molecular gas, has represented one of astronomy’s most significant blind spots.

In a fresh study, NRAO astronomer Kimberly Emig and her team mapped this hidden gas across extensive sections of the sky, using radio spectral lines from atomic recombination known as carbon radio recombination lines (CRRLs).

Their map encompasses Cygnus X, a star-forming region located approximately 5,000 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus.

“It’s akin to suddenly switching on a light in a room and discovering various structures that were previously unseen,” Dr. Emig remarked.

The newly constructed map unveils a sprawling network of arcs, ridges, and webs of dark gas permeating Cygnus X.

These formations indicate where star-forming materials accumulate and evolve before becoming noticeable as molecular clouds in CO.

The authors demonstrated that these faint carbon signals, observed at very low radio frequencies, serve as an extraordinarily powerful instrument for uncovering hidden gas that directly correlates ordinary matter with the birth of new stars.

They found that this dark gas is not static; instead, it flows, shifts, and moves at rates much faster than previously recognized. These dynamics influence the stellar formation rate.

Moreover, they discovered that the intensity of these carbon lines is directly connected to the intense starlight bathing the area, emphasizing the significant role radiation plays in galactic recycling.

“By illuminating the invisible, we can trace how the raw ingredients in our galaxy transform from simple atoms into complex molecular structures that will ultimately become stars, planets, and potentially life,” Dr. Emig stated.

“This marks merely the beginning of comprehending an otherwise unseen force.”

Find the results published in the October 17th edition of the Astrophysical Journal.

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Kimberly L. Emig et al. 2025. The cold dark gas of Cygnus X: the first large-scale mapping of low-frequency carbon recombination lines. APJ 992, 216; doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/adfa17

Source: www.sci.news

ALMA Observes Spiral Gas Streamers Controlled by Magnetic Fields in Star-Forming Areas

Posted on October 22, 2025 by

This stream of gas transports material from the clouds surrounding the star-forming area within Perseus directly into an emerging binary star system known as SVS 13A.

Artist’s impression of the SVS 13A system. Image credit: NSF/AUI/NSF’s NRAO/P.Vosteen.

Stars are formed from clouds of gas and dust, and recent observations indicate that the process of star formation is far more dynamic than previously understood.

New findings from the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) reveal both dust and molecules swirling around the SVS 13A system. This data shows how the magnetic field not only permeates these stellar nurseries but actively directs the flow of matter, offering a preferred path for gas to accumulate in the disk where new stars and planets arise.

“Visualize a garden hose, but instead of water, it smoothly channels materials for star formation through intricate pathways carved by unseen forces,” explains Dr. Paulo Cortes, an astronomer at the NSF National Radio Astronomy Observatory and the joint ALMA telescope.

“This perspective from ALMA observations presents channels of gas known as subalfvénic streamers, regulated by spiral magnetic field lines.”

“This new data provides an insightful glimpse into the star formation process.”

“These streamers illustrate how magnetic fields can influence star formation by managing material influx, akin to a private highway facilitating car travel.”

ALMA’s images and findings uncover two spiral arms of dust encircling the star, with gas streams closely mirroring the same trajectory.

This remarkable configuration implies that the gas within the streamer is traversing at a slower pace than previously believed, reinforcing the concept of a magnetized channel rather than a chaotic, collapsing cloud.

The presence of such streamers, linking clouds to disks and supplying them with material in a managed fashion, indicates that both gravity and magnetism are crucial in the formation of stars and the shaping of potential planetary bodies around them.

This groundbreaking result signifies the first instance where astronomers have directly mapped both a streamer and its associated magnetic field in a single observation.

“Subalfvenic streamers indicate a fresh role for magnetic fields amidst gravitational dominance, acting as ‘guides’ to assist the descent of material from the outer envelope to the disk,” the astronomers remarked.

Upcoming findings are detailed in a paper in the Astrophysics Journal Letter.

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PC Cortez et al. 2025. First results from ALPPS: SVS 13A subalfvenic streamer. APJL 992, L31; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ae0c04

Source: www.sci.news

Top 250 Oil and Gas Companies Hold Just 1.5% of Global Renewable Electricity Ownership

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Oil corporations are making minimal investments in wind energy.

Associated Press/Alamy

SEI 269586650 — Oil corporations are making minimal investments in wind energy.

Associated Press/Alamy

Significant oil and gas firms hold under 1.5 percent of the global renewable electricity capacity, raising concerns about their dedication to green energy transition, despite their public assertions.

Marcel Llabero Pasquina and Antonio Bontempi, researchers from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, analyzed ownership data of over 53,000 renewable energy projects—including wind, solar, hydroelectric, and geothermal—tracked by the NGO Global Energy Monitor. They compiled this information to determine the proportion of these projects owned by the 250 largest oil and gas companies, which together dominate 88% of global hydrocarbon production.

As the world shifts away from fossil fuels, many chief energy companies have committed to investing in renewables, yet findings indicated that these top firms own merely 1.42% of operational renewable energy capacity worldwide. Notably, more than half (around 54%) of this capacity was acquired rather than developed by these companies. Their analysis of total energy output showed that just 0.13% of energy produced by these companies comes from renewable electricity.

“The findings were astonishing even to me,” remarks Llabero-Pasquina. “We understood they played a limited role in the energy transition. We thought it was merely for appearances. Yet, the numbers are even lower than we anticipated.”

Llavero Pasquina and Bontempi are associated with Environmental Justice, a collective dedicated to researching and advancing the global environmental justice movement. Llabero-Pasquina believes that the campaign’s stance bolsters his research. “It is crucial for us to maintain high rigor in our work so that we can effectively persuade others and demonstrate the truth.”

It is not surprising that major energy corporations, renowned for their oil and gas ventures, do not hold substantial stakes in renewable energy, says Thierry Bros from the Institute of Sciences in Paris. “Ultimately, [the energy transition] must be disruptive and not play into the hands of these companies.”

However, Bros argues that big energy firms are misleadingly portraying their efforts towards energy transition. “They represent themselves as incorporating methods like carbon capture for emissions from fossil fuels. Yet, I believe their actual engagement leans more towards carbon capture and sequestration, which may extend beyond their genuine expertise,” he states.

Offshore Energies UK, representing the UK’s offshore energy sector, including oil, gas, wind, carbon capture, and hydrogen, refrained from commenting directly on these findings. Nevertheless, it highlighted a previous statement from CEO David Whitehouse: “Rather than being in conflict, oil and gas, wind, and emerging low-carbon technologies form a unified system. The expertise of our workforce, the same individuals who developed the North Sea, is instrumental for achieving this transition,” he remarked.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Trace Gas Orbiter Reveals New Images of Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

During its closest encounter with Mars on October 3, 2025, comet 3I/ATLAS was situated 30 million km from the ESA’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO).

The image of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS was taken on October 3, 2025, by the CaSSIS instrument aboard the ESA’s Trace Gas Orbiter. Image credit: ESA/TGO/CaSSIS.

TGO acquired new images of 3I/ATLAS utilizing the Color and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS).

“This observation posed significant challenges for this instrument,” noted Dr. Nick Thomas, Principal Investigator of ESA’s CaSSIS instrument.

“3I/ATLAS appears as a slightly blurred white dot that descends toward the center of the image.”

“This point represents the nucleus of the comet, which comprises an icy, rocky core surrounded by a coma.”

“Due to the distance, CaSSIS couldn’t differentiate between a nuclear and a coma state.”

“The CaSSIS camera has an angular resolution of 11.36 microradians (equivalent to 2.34 arc seconds) per pixel,” explained Professor Avi Loeb from Harvard University.

“At a minimum distance of approximately 30 million km from 3I/ATLAS, this resolution translates to 340 km.”

“This pixel size is one to two orders of magnitude larger than the anticipated core diameters of 3I/ATLAS, which range from a minimum of 5 km to a maximum of 46 km.”

“Some of the expansion can be observed in CaSSIS images,” he mentioned.

“The passage of 3I/ATLAS across the Martian sky will be viewed by the Mars rover from an angle nearly perpendicular to the 3I/ATLAS-Sun axis, allowing for a side view of the glow surrounding 3I/ATLAS.”

“The width of the luminous glow around 3I/ATLAS in the CaSSIS image is approximately twice that of a bright star appearing as a background point source in the same image.”

“This span corresponds to a scale of 680 km, which is an order of magnitude smaller than the width seen in Hubble images.”

“Thus, it’s evident that CaSSIS only captures the brightest regions surrounding the core of 3I/ATLAS and cannot detect the low surface brightness envelope visible in Hubble images.”

From November 2 to 25, 2025, ESA’s Jupiter Icy Satellites probe will observe 3I/ATLAS with a range of instruments. Image credit: ESA.

“Our Mars rovers continue to contribute significantly to Mars science, and it’s always thrilling to see them respond to unforeseen scenarios like this,” remarked Dr. Colin Wilson, ESA’s Mars Express and ExoMars project scientist.

“We eagerly await the insights the data will reveal following further analysis.”

Next month, ESA researchers are set to observe 3I/ATLAS with the Jupiter Icy Satellite Orbiter (JUICE).

While JUICE will be located further from 3I/ATLAS than last week’s Mars rover, the rover will detect the comet shortly after its closest approach to the Sun, indicating heightened activity.

“Observation data for JUICE is anticipated to be received by February 2026,” they noted.

Source: www.sci.news

Webb Discovers Biosignature Gas Phosphine in the Atmospheres of Ancient Brown Dwarfs

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers utilizing the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope have identified phosphine (PH)₃ in the atmosphere of the brown dwarf Wolf 1130c, part of the triple system 1130ABC.

Schematic diagram of the Wolf 1130ABC triple system, featuring red dwarf star Wolf 1130a (left), compact white dwarf companion 1130b (center), and distant brown dwarf Wolf 1130c (right); each component scaled according to its relative size. Image credit: Adam Burgasser.

Wolf 1130ABC is located approximately 54 light years away in the constellation Cygnus.

The system is also known for LHS 482, Gliese 781, and Ross 1069b. It consists of three components: the Cool Red Star Wolf 1130a, the massive white dwarf Wolf 1130b, and the brown dwarf Wolf 1130c.

Initially discovered in 2013, Wolf 1130c orbits the closely bound systems of Wolf 1130a and Wolf 1130b on a wide trajectory.

“The astronomical initiative known as the Ancient Arcana concentrates on ancient, metal-rich brown dwarfs to enhance our understanding of atmospheric chemistry,” stated Adam Burgasser, a professor at the University of California, San Diego.

“Identifying phosphine was one of our primary objectives.”

Phosphine naturally emerges in the hydrogen-dominated atmospheres of gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn.

This has led scientists to theorize that phosphine should exist in the atmospheres of exoplanetary gas giants as well.

Nevertheless, previous Webb observations often failed to detect phosphines, pointing to an incomplete understanding of phosphorus chemistry.

“Before Webb, the expectation was that phosphine would be plentiful in planetary and brown dwarf atmospheres, according to theoretical models based on the turbulent mixing in these environments.”

Wolf 1130c is of particular interest to brown dwarf astronomers due to its lower concentration of “metals” (elements beyond hydrogen and helium) compared to the Sun.

In contrast to other brown dwarfs, the team successfully detected phosphines in the infrared spectral data collected by Webb from Wolf 1130c.

To accurately interpret their findings, researchers needed to ascertain the abundance of this gas within the atmosphere of Wolf 1130c.

“We employed a modeling approach called atmospheric recovery to quantify the molecular constituents of Wolf 1130c,” explained Dr. Irene Gonzalez from San Francisco State University.

“This technique leverages Webb’s data to validate the expected presence of various molecular gas species in the atmosphere.”

“It’s akin to reverse-engineering a delicious cookie when a chef remains committed to a recipe.”

“Typically, phosphorus may bond with other molecules, such as phosphorus trioxide,” remarked Dr. Baylor.

“In the metal-poor atmosphere of Wolf 1130c, insufficient oxygen prevents phosphorus from forming this way, allowing it to arise from phosphine-rich hydrogen.”

Alternatively, the phosphine could have been synthesized locally within the Wolf 1130ABC system, particularly from the white dwarf Wolf 1130b.

“The white dwarf represents the remnant shell of a star that has completed hydrogen fusion,” Professor Burgasser explained.

“These stars are incredibly dense and can accumulate material on their surfaces, potentially spurring runaway nuclear reactions.”

While astronomers have not observed such phenomena in the Wolf 1130ABC system in recent history, nova events usually cycle every thousands to tens of thousands of years.

This system has been recognized for just a century, and earlier invisible explosions may have contributed to a legacy of phosphorus contamination.

Gaining insights into why this particular brown dwarf exhibits a distinct signature of phosphine could shed new light on phosphorus synthesis in the Milky Way and atmospheric chemistry on exoplanets.

“If we aim to use this molecule in the quest for life in terrestrial worlds outside our solar system, understanding the atmospheric phosphine chemistry of brown dwarfs becomes crucial,” Professor Burgasser commented.

This study will be published in the journal Science.

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Adam J. Burgasser et al. Observation of unexpected phosphines in the atmosphere of the cold brown dwarf. Science. Released online on October 2, 2025. doi:10.1126/science.adu0401

Source: www.sci.news

Webb Uncovers Evasion Agent Discs That Create Exomoons Around Gas Giant Exoplanets

Posted on September 30, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers utilizing the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope have identified a carbon-rich disk encircling CT Cha B, a massive exoplanet located approximately 620 light years from Earth in the Chamaeleon constellation. This discovery offers the first direct insights into the chemical and physical characteristics of the gas giant and the materials that might contribute to its potential lunar system.

Artistic rendering of dust and gas discs surrounding a young exoplanet CT Cha b. Image credits: NASA/ESA/CSA/STSCI/G. CUGNO, University of Zurich & NCCR Planets/S. Grant, Carnegie Institution for Science/J. Olmsted, Stsci/L. Hustak, Stsci.

CT CHA, also referred to as PDS 44 and TIC 454259409, is merely 2 million years old and continues to accumulate materials for its formation.

However, the disks identified by Webb are independent of the larger accretion disks surrounding the central star.

“We can observe signs of disks around companion celestial bodies and explore their chemistry for the first time,” remarks Dr. Sierra Grant, an astronomer at the Carnegie Institution for Science.

“We are not merely observing the moon’s formation; we are witnessing the planet’s formation as well.”

“We are investigating the materials involved in forming planets and moons,” added Dr. Gabriele Kuno, an astronomer from the University of Zurich and the National Center for Capacity for Research Planets.

Infrared observations of CT CHA B have been captured by Webb’s MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument), which employs a medium-resolution spectrometer.

An initial examination of Webb’s archived data revealed evidence of molecules in the surrounding disk, prompting deeper analysis of the data.

The planet’s faint signal is obscured by the glare of its host star, requiring astronomers to utilize high-contrast techniques to separate the star’s light from that of the planet.

“We detected molecules in the planet’s vicinity, indicating there was something significant to delve into within the data, which took us a year of dedicated effort. It truly required a lot of patience,” Dr. Grant stated.

Ultimately, researchers identified seven carbon-containing molecules within the disk, including acetylene (C₂H₂) and benzene (C₆H₆).

This carbon-rich chemistry contrasts sharply with that found in the disks around the host star, where water was detected alongside carbon.

The disparity between the two disks suggests rapid chemical evolution occurring within just 2 million years.

“We aim to better understand how our solar system formed its moons. This necessitates examining other systems that are still in the process of development. We are striving to comprehend all the underlying mechanisms,” Dr. Cugno explained.

“What do these moons resemble? What are their components? What physical processes are in action, and what are the associated timescales?”

“Webb is capturing the narrative of moon formation, enabling us to explore these questions observationally for the very first time.”

The survey results were published today in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.

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Gabriele Cugno & Sierra L. Grant. 2025. A carbon-rich disk surrounding the planetary mass ally. ApJL 991, L46; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ae0290

Source: www.sci.news

Ancient 185,000-Year-Old Bridge of Neutral Hydrogen Gas Links Two D-Star Galaxies

Posted on September 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

An international team of astronomers, as part of the Widefield Askap L-Band Legacy All-Sky Survey (Wallaby), observed DDO 137 (Wallaby J123424+062511). Their findings uncovered a vast bridge of neutral hydrogen, measuring 185,000 light-years, connecting the two galaxies, along with various arms and clouds that link to a longer gas tail (1.6 million light-years) previously identified by the Arecibo telescope.

Radio (left) and light (right) images of NGC 4532/DDO 137. Image credits: ICRAR/D. Lang, Perimeter Institute.

“This discovery marks a significant advance in our understanding of galaxy interactions,” stated Professor Lister Starley Smith from the University of Western Australia Node at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR).

“Our simulations indicate that the tidal forces between these galaxies play a crucial role in the observed gas dynamics in close vicinity to the massive Virgo clusters of galaxies.”

“As the galaxies approached the hot gas clouds surrounding the Virgo clusters—temperatures 200 times that of the sun—we experienced what is termed RAM pressure, resulting in gas being stripped away from the galaxy.”

“This phenomenon is analogous to atmospheric burn-up when a satellite reenters Earth’s upper atmosphere, albeit extended over a billion years.”

“The electron density and the velocity at which galaxies descend into these hot gas clouds sufficiently clarify why they were drawn from the galaxy toward the bridge and surrounding regions.”

This observation formed part of the Wallaby Survey, a comprehensive project aimed at mapping the sky and examining the hydrogen gas distribution across galaxies using CSIRO’s Askap Radio telescope.

“Neutral hydrogen is vital for star formation, making this discovery pivotal in understanding how galaxies interact and evolve, particularly in densely packed environments,” remarked Professor Kenji Bekki of ICRAR.

“This system exhibits striking similarities to our Milky Way and Magellanic Clouds, offering a unique opportunity for a detailed examination of such interactions,” noted Professor Stavely-Smith.

“Grasping the dynamics of these gas bridges is crucial for understanding galaxy evolution over time, the redistribution of galactic gases, and the various conditions impacting star formation within galaxies.”

“This enhances our overall understanding of the universe’s largest structures and their lifecycle.

result will be published in Monthly Notices from the Royal Astronomical Society.

____

L. Stavely-Smith et al. 2025. WallabyPilot Survey: Extensive interaction between NGC 4532 and DDO 137 and Virgo clusters. mnras 543(1): 526-539; doi: 10.1093/mnras/staf1443

Source: www.sci.news

Sagittarius A*: Detection of Hot Gas Emitted from a Black Hole Confirmed

Posted on September 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Molecular gas and X-ray emissions around Sagittarius A*, a black hole in the Milky Way.

Mark D. Golsky et al. (CC by 4.0)

Researchers have confirmed that hot winds are emanating from the supermassive black hole at the center of the Galaxy for the first time.

In contrast to many other supermassive black holes throughout the universe, Sagittarius A* (SGR A*) remains relatively subdued. Unlike its more active counterparts that emit vast jets, SGR A* does not produce such striking displays. While many supermassive black holes create winds, which are streams of hot gas that originate near the event horizon, these have never been definitively observed around SGR A*, despite theoretical predictions dating back to the 1970s.

Mark Golsky and Elena Marchikova from Northwestern University, Illinois, utilized the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile to conduct a more detailed study of the cold gas in the innermost region of the Circumnuclear Disk (CND). Their observations revealed an unexpectedly large volume of cold gas and a distinct cone that penetrates through the hot gas.

“To find such a significant amount of cold gas so close to the black hole was surprising,” says Golsky. “Conventional understanding suggested it was unlikely to be there, which is why we hadn’t previously searched for it. When I shared this image, my colleague remarked, ‘We need to investigate this further, as it’s been a puzzle for over 50 years.’”

Golsky and Marchikova’s five years of observations provided a detailed analysis of the innermost part of the CND, mapping cold gases within a vicinity of SGR A* 100 times previous measurements. By simulating and subtracting the bright variability of SGR A*, they could isolate the dim light from the cold gas.

This approach revealed a pronounced cone region nearly devoid of cold gas, and when they overlaid X-ray emissions (produced by the hot gas), a striking correlation emerged. The energy required to propel the hot gas through this cone approximates that of 25,000 suns—far too substantial to originate from nearby stars or supernovae, indicating it likely derives from SGR A* itself. “The energy necessary comes directly from the black hole, confirming the presence of winds originating from it,” Golsky states.

<p>Prior observations have identified expansive gas bubbles, known as Fermi bubbles, situated above and below the galaxy. However, the possibility of these jets reforming remains uncertain. Understanding this wind phenomenon sheds light on why SGR A* shows lower activity and enhances our comprehension of black hole evolution.</p>
<p>The implications of the reduced wind activity surrounding SGR A* are exciting. If verified, findings by <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=1VNwK9gAAAAJ&amp;hl=en">Ziri Younsi</a> from University College London could offer crucial insights into the nature of the black hole, including its rotational direction. Astronomers have postulated that SGR A* spins perpendicular to the Milky Way plane, implying a need for edge-on observation. However, the inaugural image of a black hole captured by the Event Horizon Telescope in 2022 produced inconclusive data, suggesting a possible in-person orientation.</p>
<p>“The mass of Sagittarius A* is well-defined by current observations, but its tilt angle relative to us remains largely unknown,” explains Younsi. “If these findings are robust, understanding the origins of these matter flows will be genuinely fascinating, as it will provide insights into how material spirals toward the black hole, contributing to our knowledge of galactic evolution.”</p>

<section class="ArticleTopics" data-component-name="article-topics"><p class="ArticleTopics__Heading">topic:</p></section>

Source: www.newscientist.com

Webb Discovers Methane Gas on the Dwarf Planet Makemake

Posted on September 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers utilizing the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope have discovered evidence of gaseous methane on the remote dwarf planet Macemeiki. This finding is detailed in a paper published in the Astrophysics Journal Letter. This discovery challenges the conventional perception of Makemake as a stable, frozen entity. Following Pltune, where gas presence was confirmed, it is now only the second Transneptune object to display this characteristic.

Protopapa et al. Methane gas was detected with Makemake using Webb observations (white). A sharp radiation peak near 3.3 microns reveals methane in the gas phase on the surface of Makemake. The continuum model (CYAN) is overlaid for comparison. An observable spectrum above the continuum indicates a gas emission peak. Image credit: S. Protopapa/I. Wong/SWRI/STSCI/NASA/ESA/CSA/WEBB.

Makemake, also referred to as FY9 and (136472), was identified in 2005 by a team of astronomers at the California Institute of Technology, led by Mike Brown.

This planet of War is situated in a region beyond Neptune, home to a small solar system.

Its radius measures approximately 715 km (444 miles), making it a dimmer and slightly smaller body than Pluto.

It takes around 305 Earth years for this dwarf planet to complete one orbit around the Sun.

Previously observed stellar occultations indicated that Makemake likely lacked a significant global atmosphere, although thin atmospheres could not be completely dismissed.

Meanwhile, infrared observations suggested mysterious thermal anomalies and peculiar characteristics of its methane ice, hinting at the possibility of local hotspots and potential outgassing on its surface.

“Makemake is one of the largest and brightest icy worlds in the outer solar system, with its surface predominantly comprised of frozen methane,” stated Dr. Sylvia Protopapa, an astronomer at the Southwest Institute.

“Webb has revealed that methane is also present in the gas phase above the surface, making Makemake an even more intriguing subject of study.”

“This indicates that Makemake is not an inert remnant of the outer solar system; rather, it is a dynamic body where methane ice is actively evolving.”

The detected methane spectral emission is interpreted as solar absorbing fluorescence, which occurs when sunlight is re-emitted after being absorbed by methane molecules.

The research team posited that this could either indicate a tenuous atmosphere in equilibrium with surface ice, akin to Pluto, or more transient activities such as comet-like sublimation or cryovolcanic processes.

Both scenarios are plausible and align with current data, given the signal-to-noise ratios and limited spectral resolution.

“The inclination to connect Makemake’s various spectra with thermal anomalies is compelling, but identifying mechanisms that enable volatile activities remains essential to interpreting these observations cohesively.”

“Future Webb observations at higher spectral resolutions will aid in determining whether methane originates from thin atmospheres or outgassing processes like plumes.”

“This discovery opens up the possibility that Makemake has a very thin atmosphere supported by methane sublimation,” noted Dr. Emmanuel Lelouch, an astronomer at the Paris Observatory.

“Our best model estimates a surface pressure around 40 K (minus 233 degrees Celsius) and about 10 picobars, which is a hundred billion times less than Earth’s atmospheric pressure, indicating a dilute surface pressure about ten billion times that of Pluto.”

“If this hypothesis is validated, Makemake will join a select group of outer solar system bodies where surface mass exchanges are still actively occurring today.”

“Another scenario proposes that methane is being expelled in plume-like eruptions,” Dr. Protopapa added.

“In this case, our model indicates that methane may be released at a rate of several hundred kilograms per second, comparable to the intense water plumes seen on Enceladus, Saturn’s moon, and significantly larger than the faint steam observed on Ceres.”

____

Silvia Protopapa et al. 2025. JWST detection of hydrocarbon ice and methane gas on Makemake. apjl in press; Arxiv: 2509.06772

Source: www.sci.news

Elon Musk’s Xai Secures Approval for Methane Gas Generator in Tennessee

Posted on July 4, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Elon Musk’s AI venture, Xai, has received authorization to use methane gas generators at a significant data center located in Memphis, Tennessee. The county health department approved permits for 15 generators on Wednesday, a decision that has ignited protests from local communities and environmental advocates who argue that the generators will pollute the area.

“Our local officials are meant to safeguard our right to clean air, yet we are witnessing their failures,” stated Keshaun Pearson, the director of the Memphis community environmental nonprofit.

Xai established a sizable data center in Memphis about a year ago and introduced several portable methane gas generators to address the facility’s high energy demands. Although Xai lacked permissions for these generators, they seem to have exploited a loophole allowing the turbines to operate unless stationed at the same site for over 364 days.

In January, Xai sought approval for 15 generators. After extensive public meetings and community protests, the Shelby County Health Department approved the request. Satellite images provided to the Guardian by the Southern Environmental Law Center, a reputable nonprofit, reveal that at least 24 turbines remain operational at the Xai facility as of Tuesday.

“Xai welcomes the decision announced today,” said a company spokesperson in a statement. “Our on-site power generation utilizes state-of-the-art emission control technology, making this facility one of the cleanest in the nation.”

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Environmental organizations question the actual emissions from Xai’s electricity usage. Research by the Southern Environmental Law Center indicates that these turbines could emit thousands of tons of harmful nitrogen oxides and toxic substances like formaldehyde.

“The decision to issue air permits to Xai for contaminated gas turbines dismisses the opinions of countless Memphians who opposed this permit,” remarked Amanda Garcia, a senior lawyer at the Southern Environmental Law Center. She noted that the health department is permitting another contaminant to set up operations in an already burdened community without adequate safety measures.

Situated in an industrial area of Memphis, Xai is surrounded by neighborhoods that have long struggled with pollution issues. This historically black community faces elevated rates of respiratory diseases and asthma and has a shorter lifespan compared to other regions of the city. Studies indicate that these areas show a cancer risk four times higher than the national average.

The pollution from Xai’s operations, particularly affecting nearby black neighborhoods, has drawn attention from civil rights groups like the NAACP, which has filed a lawsuit against the company. They allege that Xai is in breach of the Clean Air Act by unlawfully installing and operating a methane gas generator.

“The NAACP is hopeful that the 15 generators at Xai will enhance transparency and accountability regarding methane emissions, yet this decision overlooks the objections of the community. We remain committed to holding both Xai and the health department accountable,” they stated.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Astronomers May Have Detected a Gas Giant Still Forming Around RIK 113

Posted on June 10, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers utilizing ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope (VLT) have captured stunning images of a highly structured planetary formation disc surrounding the star Rik 113.

This image, captured with a very large telescope at ESO in Chile, illustrates the RIK113 system. Image credits: ESO/Ginski et al.

RIK 113 is located approximately 431 light-years away in the constellation Scorpio.

Also referred to as 2MASSJ16120668-3010270, this star hosts a structured protoplanetary disc.

“In a study published last year, the intricate nature of this protoplanetary disc was first unveiled by the Atacama Large Millimeter/sub-millimeter Array (ALMA),” remarked Galway astronomer Christian Ginsky and colleagues.

“These findings indicated the presence of gaps, suggestive of planet-like objects within them.”

“This prompted the team to conduct follow-up observations using ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT).”

Employing VLT’s Sphere Instrument, Dr. Ginski and co-authors obtained a new image of the system, revealing an appealing spiral feature in the inner ring.

“Our team is currently examining nearly 100 planet-forming discs around nearby stars, and these images are exceptional,” Dr. Ginsky noted.

“It is rare to find a system exhibiting both rings and spiral arms. This aligns almost perfectly with predictions regarding how planets form from the parent disk, according to theoretical models.”

“Such detections bring us a step closer to comprehending how planets, in general, formed and the origins of our solar system in the far past.”

A detailed analysis of the VLT/Sphere data hinted at two potential signals, as well as two possible signals from a protoplanet orbiting Rik 113, close to the original detection by ALMA.

At this stage, these signals serve more as proposals than definitive confirmations.

Nonetheless, these results are highly promising for future explorations, with both ALMA and VLT studies indicating the presence of at least one planet.

“We identified an inner disc (up to 40 AU) with two spiral arms, which are separated by a gap from the outer ring extending to 115 AU,” the astronomer stated.

“Comparing with unique and hydrodynamic models from the literature, we found that these structures are consistent with the existence of embedded gas giants, with masses ranging from 0.1 to 5 Jupiter masses depending on the model and its underlying assumptions.”

“The RIK 113 system is one of the few that displays this remarkable form of spiral arms amidst the scattered gaps of light and the ring,” they added.

“We hypothesize that this could be linked to higher disk viscosity compared to other systems, such as PDS 70.”

“If a planet in the disk is confirmed, RIK 113 will become a focal point for studying planetary disk interactions.”

Study published online in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.

____

C. Ginsky et al. 2025. Disk evolution studies with imaging of nearby young stars (Destinys): 2MassJ16120668-3010270 Evidence of planetary disk interaction in the system. A&A in press; doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202451647

Source: www.sci.news

Climbers Ascend Everest with Controversial Xenon Gas

Posted on May 29, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

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BYD, a Chinese EV manufacturer, claims their new rapid charging system could rival the speed of filling up a gas tank

Posted on March 18, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

BYD, a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker, has announced plans to construct a charging network across China. This network aims to enable EVs to charge as quickly as refilling with gasoline.

Founder Wang Chuanfu revealed the “supere platform” at a home event in Shenzhen on Monday. This platform will support a peak charging speed of 1,000 kW, allowing cars to travel 400 km on a five-minute charge.

BYD’s 1,000 kW charging speed is double that of Tesla superchargers, offering faster charging speeds than before in the industry. Fast charging technology is crucial for increasing EV adoption.

Tesla, already struggling, saw its shares drop 15% on March 10, prompting concerns for owner Elon Musk. The company faces challenges in meeting sales targets and producing self-driving cars, with increasing competition from more affordable EV models from Chinese companies like BYD.

Tesla stocks dropped 4.8% on Wall Street, marking an eighth consecutive weekly decline. Baron.

Wang emphasized the goal of reducing EV charging times to match gasoline vehicle refueling times. The new charging architecture will debut with the Han L Sedan and Tang L SUV, priced from 270,000 yuan ($37,330).

BYD plans to build over 4,000 ultra-fast charging stations to support the new platform, but no specific timeline for construction was provided. Previously, BYD owners relied on public charging poles from other manufacturers or third-party operators.

While Tesla has been offering superchargers in China since 2014, other Chinese EV companies like NIO, Li Auto, Xpeng, and Zeekr have also established charging facilities.

BYD’s sales primarily come from plug-in hybrids, with aims to sell 5-6 million units this year.

Reuters and

Source: www.theguardian.com

Radcliffe’s Waves: The solar system’s past encounter with a massive cloud of gas and dust

Posted on March 5, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Radcliffe’s wave visualization, a series of dust and gas clouds (marked here) throughout the Milky Way. Approximately 400 light years from the sun, marked yellow

Alyssa A. Goodman/Harvard University

Our solar system passed through vast waves of gas and dust about 14 million years ago, darkening the views of the Earth’s night sky. The waves may have left a trace on our planet’s geological records.

Astronomers previously discovered large ocean-like waves of milky stars, gas and dust that ripple up and down for millions of years. One of these closest and most studied is the Radcliffe waves, about 9,000 light years wide and only 400 light years from the solar system.

Now, Efrem Maconi The University of Vienna and his colleagues discovered that the waves of Radcliffe once were far closer to us, surpassing the solar system 11 to 18 million years ago.

Maconi and his team used data from Gaia Space Telescope, which tracked billions of stars in the Milky Way, to identify recently formed groups of stars within the Radcliffe Wave, and identify the dust and gas clouds that formed from them.

Using these stars, they tracked the cloud orbits in time to reveal historic locations to show how the entire wave was moving. They also calculated the past paths of the solar system, rewind the clock for 30 million years, and discovered that the waves and our sun were approaching intimately about 15-12 million years ago. It is difficult to accurately estimate when the intersection began and ended, but the team believes the solar system is within the wave range around 14 million years ago.

This would have made Earth’s galactic environment as dark as it is today, as we currently live in a relatively empty space realm. “If we are in a dense region of interstellar media, that means that the light coming from the stars will dim,” says Macconi. “It’s like being on a foggy day.”

The encounter may have left evidence in Earth’s geological records and deposited radioactive isotopes on the crust, but considering how long ago it happened, this would be difficult to measure, he says. It says it is useful to find such a galactic encounter, as explaining the geological record of the Earth is a continuous problem. Ralph Schoenrich University College London.

More speculatively, the crossing appears to have occurred during a period of cooling, known as the mid-Miocene. Maconi said the two could be linked, but this would be difficult to prove. Schoenrich thinks that is unlikely. “The rule of thumb is that geology outweighs the influence of the universe,” he says. “When you move around the continent or disrupt ocean currents, you need more because climate change is occurring.”

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Gas bubble on another star found to be 75 times larger than the Sun

Posted on September 12, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The movement of bubbling gas on the surface of R Doradus

ALMA (ESO/National Astronomical Observatory of Japan/NRAO)/W. Breming

A giant bubble of hot gas more than 75 times the size of our sun has been observed on the surface of a nearby star, and researchers say this could lead to improved computer simulations of the sun.

Wouter Flemings He and his colleagues from Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, were looking at R Doradus, a star 178 light-years away from Earth and 350 times the mass of the Sun, in hopes of better understanding how material is ejected from old stars.

Vlemmings says they booked time at the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observatory in Chile — which only gets one in seven applications — and there they collected a single snapshot observation.

The first two attempts were hampered by weather conditions on Earth, and only the third met the stringent quality standards set out in the researchers' Observatory Time application, but this led to the accumulation of multiple images that Vlemmings says were in fact all usable, allowing the team to plot movement over time.

Not only was this the first time such a bubble had been observed in detail outside the solar system, but the image was shaped like a kind of flip-book, allowing the researchers to measure not only its size but also its speed. “That was a bonus,” Flemings says. “We hadn't planned for it, and certainly didn't expect it to all work out that way. [this way].”

They also discovered that giant gas bubbles, more than 100 million kilometres wide, were rising to the surface and then sinking back into the star's interior at a faster rate than expected.

Nuclear fusion reactions inside the star create convection currents, which cause bubbles of hot gas to rise to the surface, then cool and sink back to the core. This process is thought to eject material that escapes the star's gravity and spreads out into space to form new stars and planets. At least in R Doradus, this process appears to be happening three to four times faster than expected, with bubbles forming and disappearing over the course of about a month.

Areas around R Doradas

ESO/Digital Sky Survey 2

Stellar convection has been modeled in computers before, but those models appear to be a bit flawed because the motion isn't nearly as fast as observed in the real world, Vlemings said.

“These bubbles are moving a little faster than expected, so it seems like we're missing something,” he says. “For a long time in our field, the models have basically been ahead of the observations, but we've never really had the observations to test whether those models are correct.”

Doradus R has not been the subject of much study because it's only visible from the Southern Hemisphere, and historically most of the large radio telescopes have been in the Northern Hemisphere. But that's changed with ALMA, Vlemmings says. Because ALMA produces such comprehensive data, he hopes to find even more remnants. Researchers hope to observe similar stars next year to see if the phenomenon can be found in other places.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Chemists show the existence of sulfurous acid in the gas phase in normal atmospheric conditions

Posted on September 11, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Chemists at the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research have discovered that sulfurous acid (H₂So₃), once formed in the gas phase, is kinetically stable enough to allow its characterization and subsequent reactions.

In the gas phase, sulfurous acid, once formed, exhibits some kinetic stability with a lifetime of at least 1 second in atmospheric water vapor conditions. Image courtesy of Berndt others., doi:10.1002/anie.202405572.

Sulfurous acid Having formula H₂So₃ The molecular weight is 82.075 g/mol.

This molecule, also known as sulfuric acid(IV) or thioic acid, is a difficult-to-reach acid that has never before been observed in aqueous solution.

However, sulfite Detected It was discovered in the gas phase in 1988 by dissociative ionization of diethyl sulfite.

“The only experimental detection of sulfurous acid to date was achieved in 1988 by the team of Helmut Schwarz at the Technical University of Berlin using in situ generation with a mass spectrometer,” said Dr. Torsten Berndt of the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research and colleagues.

“Under vacuum conditions, we estimated an extremely short lifetime of more than 10 microseconds.”

“Theoretical calculations show that H₂So₃ As a possible reaction product of the gas-phase reaction of OH radicals with dimethyl sulfide (DMS), which are produced from ozone and water molecules in the troposphere primarily in the presence of ultraviolet light.”

“DMS is produced primarily by biological processes in the ocean and is the largest source of biogenic sulfur in the atmosphere, producing approximately 30 million tonnes per year.”

The researchers experimentally investigated possible reaction pathways to H.₂So₃ It starts with DMS.

Formation of H₂So₃ Its formation in the gas phase was clearly demonstrated in a flow reactor under atmospheric conditions.

“Under our experimental conditions, sulfurous acid remained stable for 30 seconds, regardless of humidity,” the researchers said.

“With the existing experimental setup, longer residence times have not yet been explored.”

“Therefore, H₂So₃ It may persist in the atmosphere long enough to affect chemical reactions.”

“The observed yields were somewhat higher than theoretically expected.”

According to related model simulations, about 8 million tons of H₂So₃ They form every year all over the world.

“In this pathway, the mass of H increases by about 200 times.₂So₃ Sulfuric acid (H₂So₄“It produces carbon dioxide (CO2) from dimethyl sulfide in the atmosphere,” said Dr Andreas Tilgner and Dr Eric Hofmann from the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research.

“The new results may contribute to a better understanding of the atmospheric sulfur cycle.”

Team paper Published in the journal Applied Chemistry.

_____

Torsten Berndt others2024. Gas-phase production of sulfurous acid (H)₂So₃) floats in the atmosphere. Applied Chemistry 63(30):e202405572;doi:10.1002/anie.202405572

Source: www.sci.news

Physicists develop one-dimensional photon gas

Posted on September 10, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

In an experiment, physicists from the University of Bonn and the University of Kaiserslautern-Landau observed and studied the properties of a one- to two-dimensional crossover in a gas of harmonically confined photons (light particles). The photons were confined in dye microcavities, while polymer nanostructures provided the trapping potential for the photon gas. By varying the aspect ratio of the trap, the researchers tuned it from an isotropic two-dimensional confinement to a highly elongated one-dimensional trapping potential. The team paper Published in a journal Natural Physics.

A polymer applied to the reflective surface confines the photonic gas within the light's parabola. The narrower this parabola is, the more one-dimensional the gas behaves. Image courtesy of University of Bonn.

“To create a gas from photons, you need to concentrate a lot of photons in a limited space and cool them at the same time,” said Dr Frank Wevinger from the University of Bonn.

In their experiments, Dr. Wewinger and his colleagues filled a small container with a dye solution and used a laser to excite it.

The resulting photons bounced back and forth between the reflective walls of the container.

Each time they collided with a dye molecule they cooled, eventually condensing the photon gas.

By modifying the reflective surface, we can affect the gas's dimensions.

“We were able to coat the reflective surface with a transparent polymer and create tiny microscopic protrusions,” said Dr Julian Schulz, a physicist at the University of Kaiserslautern-Landau.

“These protrusions allow us to confine and condense photons into one or two dimensions.”

“These polymers act as a kind of channel for the light,” said Dr Kirankumar Kalkihari Umesh, a physicist at the University of Bonn.

“The narrower this gap becomes, the more one-dimensional the gas behaves.”

In two dimensions, there is a precise temperature limit where condensation occurs, just as water freezes at exactly 0 degrees – physicists call this a phase transition.

“But if you create a one-dimensional gas instead of two-dimensional, things are a bit different,” Dr Wewinger said.

“So-called thermal fluctuations do occur in the photon gas, but in two dimensions they are so small that they have no practical effect.”

“But on one level, these fluctuations can make waves, figuratively speaking.”

These fluctuations destroy the order in a one-dimensional system, causing different regions in the gas to no longer behave in the same way.

As a result, phase transitions that are still precisely defined in two dimensions become increasingly blurred as the system becomes one-dimensional.

However, their properties are still governed by quantum physics, just like for two-dimensional gases, and these types of gases are called degenerate quantum gases.

It's as if water gets cold but doesn't freeze completely, but turns into ice at low temperatures.

“We were able to investigate this behavior for the first time in the transition from a two-dimensional to a one-dimensional photon gas,” Dr. Wewinger said.

The authors were able to demonstrate that a one-dimensional photon gas indeed does not have a precise condensation point.

By making small changes to the polymer structure, it becomes possible to study in detail what happens during the transition between different dimensions.

Although this is still considered fundamental research at this point, it has the potential to open up new applications of quantum optical effects.

_____

K. Kalkihari Umesh othersDimensional crossover in a quantum gas of light. National Physical SocietyPublished online September 6, 2024; doi: 10.1038/s41567-024-02641-7

Source: www.sci.news

Astronomers Analyze Gas Flow in Uncommonly Bright Infrared Galaxy

Posted on July 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Ultraluminous infrared galaxies are the rarest and most extreme star-forming systems and are found only in the distant universe.

Radiative distribution of stars, cold gas, and ionized gas in the unusual HyLIRG Einstein ring PJ0116-24. Image courtesy of Liu others., doi:10.1038/s41550-024-02296-7.

“Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies (HyLIRGs) are incredibly luminous galaxies illuminated by extremely rapid star formation within their interiors,” said Dr Daizhong Liu from the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics and his colleagues.

“Previous studies had suggested that such extreme galaxies must have arisen through galactic mergers.”

“The collisions of these galaxies are thought to create regions of dense gas that trigger rapid star formation.”

“However, isolated galaxies could also become HyLIRGs through internal processes alone if star-forming gas flows rapidly toward the galaxy's center.”

In the new study, the astronomers focused on a gravitationally lensed HyLIRG galaxy known as PJ0116-24.

“PJ0116-24 is so distant that it took its light about 10 billion years to reach Earth,” the researchers said.

“By chance, the foreground galaxy acts as a gravitational lens, bending and magnifying the light from the background galaxy, PJ0116-24, and directing it towards the Einstein ring.”

“This precise configuration of space allows us to magnify very distant objects and see them with a level of detail that is very difficult to achieve any other way.

The researchers used ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) to study the motion of gas within PJ0116-24.

“ALMA tracks the cold gas which appears blue here, while the VLT with its new High Resolution Imaging Spectrograph (ERIS) tracks the warm gas which appears red,” the researchers say.

“Thanks to these detailed observations, we now know that the gas in this extreme galaxy rotates in an organized manner, rather than the chaotic state expected after a galaxy collision. A stunning result!”

“This convincingly shows that a merger is not necessarily required for a galaxy to become a HyLIRG.”

Team paper Published in the journal Natural Astronomy.

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D. Liu othersA detailed study of a rare, ultra-luminous rotating disk in a 10 billion year old Einstein ring. Nat AstronPublished online July 15, 2024; doi: 10.1038/s41550-024-02296-7

Source: www.sci.news

The Mysteries of Gorilla Gas: What Secret Footage from the Jungle Revealed about Primate Flatulence

Posted on April 24, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Hamsters, horses, and humans all do it, so it’s no surprise that gorillas, one of our closest living relatives, also fart a lot.

Farting is the body’s natural way of expelling unwanted gases produced by intestinal bacteria. These gases include odorless ones like carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and methane, as well as smelly sulfur compounds that can sometimes create a noxious odor.

There are two types of gorillas, the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla, both found in the forests of equatorial Africa. These large primates, weighing up to 190 kg (420 lb), primarily eat fiber-rich plants. They typically consume around 20 kg (44 lb) of nettles, wild celery, and other plants daily through foraging.

When gorillas are not eating, they are usually resting, allowing their bodies to digest. Gorillas in the wild are known to have a lot of flatulence, especially during certain times of the year.

A recent BBC series titled spy in the wild revealed how much gas gorillas produce. Using a remote-controlled camera, researchers captured footage of mountain gorillas in Uganda. They observed that gorillas tend to vocalize while eating, and there is a constant tramping sound between meals.

Researcher Jordi Galvani Casals, who studies mountain gorillas, stated that gorillas always have a significant amount of flatulence.

This article was written in response to the question asked by Alan Rose via email: “Are gorillas permanently bloated?”

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at: questions@sciencefocus.com or reach out to us on Facebook, Twitter, or our Instagram page (don’t forget to include your name and location).

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Astronomers find hundreds of massive gas clouds streaming away from the Milky Way’s center

Posted on February 21, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Using new 21 cm radio observations made with NSF's Green Bank Telescope, astronomers have discovered that more than 250 clouds of neutral gas are blasting out into interstellar space from the center of the Milky Way. These clouds are likely the product of the same phenomenon that created the Fermi bubble.

The artist's concept is that clouds flowing from the center of the Milky Way are caught up in extremely hot winds and accelerated to speeds of hundreds of kilometers per second. Image credit: NSF/GBO/P. Vosteen.

It has long been known that energetic processes at the center of the Milky Way generate high-velocity hot winds that spread through intergalactic space with temperatures of millions of degrees and speeds of thousands of kilometers per second. Most large galaxies have winds like this.

The serendipitous discovery that some of this hot gas is trapped in cold hydrogen clouds was made by Australia's ATCA telescope, which measured 21cm radio emissions from interstellar hydrogen atoms.

This suggests that there may be an undiscovered population of clouds transporting material away from the Milky Way's core.

Hydrogen clouds are important in their own right, but they also act as probes for hot air.

Conditions in very hot winds are difficult to measure, but just as a few leaves thrown up on Earth indicate the direction and speed of the wind in the area, cold clouds can You can track its status.

The sensitivity of the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) makes it an ideal instrument for detecting faint signals from interstellar hydrogen, but mapping these clouds and understanding their true extent is essential. It wasn't easy.

Dr Felix James 'Jay' Rockman, senior astronomer at Green Bank Observatory, said: 'It took many years to systematically map hundreds of square degrees using GBT in search of weak hydrogen emissions. ” he said.

“Once we identify a few promising candidates, we can follow up with targeted observations with other telescopes to show us even more.”

“This cloud must have been ripped off from a region near the center of the Milky Way galaxy and flung outward by a burst of star formation or black hole activity.”

Some of these clouds have the fastest outflow velocities of any cloud ever observed in the Milky Way, and may even escape from the Milky Way.

In an unexpected development, new data from the APEX telescope reveals that some hydrogen clouds contain molecules and dense cold gas.

“No one would have expected that the clouds violently ejected from the Milky Way would harbor relatively fragile molecular material, but that's what happened,” Rockman said.

Astronomers using the MeerKAT array recently mapped hydrogen in several clouds with high angular resolution, showing that it evolves and gets shredded as it flows into interstellar space.

“These new results open the door to further discoveries,” Dr. Rockman said.

“How clouds that are accelerated to speeds of more than 400 kilometers per second remain stable is a mystery.”

“The chemical processes inside these clouds are very unusual and unexplored.”

Dr. Rockman and his colleague Dr. Enrico Di Teodoro of the University of Florence, findings in AAS243243rd Meeting of the American Astronomical Society, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

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Felix Rockman and Enrico di Teodoro. 2024. New investigation of neutral clouds in the Milky Way's core wind. AAS243Abstract #2851

Source: www.sci.news

Google to reveal oil and gas methane leak detected from space

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Google and the Environmental Defense Fund on Wednesday announced a partnership to uncover the sources of climate-warming emissions from oil and gas operations that will be detected from space by a new satellite.

MethaneSAT is scheduled to launch next month and is one of several satellites being deployed to monitor methane emissions around the world to identify the main sources of the invisible but powerful greenhouse gas. There is one. The partnership is led by EDF, the New Zealand Space Agency, Harvard University and others.

Data from the satellite will be available later this year, and Google Cloud will provide the computing power to process the information.

Google also announced that it will use artificial intelligence to map oil and gas infrastructure by identifying components such as oil tanks. MethaneSAT emissions data is overlaid with Google Maps to help you understand which types of oil and gas equipment are most likely to leak.

This information will be made available through Google Earth Engine, a geospatial analytics platform, later this year. Earth Engine is free to researchers, nonprofit organizations, and news organizations.

The satellite image above shows a map of points, correctly identified as oil well pads. Google used satellite and aerial imagery to apply AI to detect infrastructure components. Well pads are shown in yellow, oil pump jacks in red, and storage tanks in blue.
Google

“For energy companies, researchers, and the public sector, it's generally helpful to predict methane emissions in the most sensitive components,” Yael Maguire, Google's vice president of geographic sustainability, said on a call with reporters. “We believe this information is extremely valuable for mitigation efforts.”

The launch comes as governments crack down on short-lived sources of greenhouse gases and more than 50 major state-owned and independent oil and gas operators, from ExxonMobil to Saudi Aramco, pledge to reduce methane leakage to near zero at the COP28 climate change summit. This was done amid a promise to reduce the number of By the end of this decade.

The United States is one of the largest emitters of methane and has proposed enforcement measures to stop leaks from oil and gas operations. A new rule by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will allow the public to report large methane leaks to federal regulators if they have access to methane detection technology.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Albanian mines reveal large reserves of natural hydrogen gas underground

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Albanian mine where hydrogen naturally seeps through rocks

FV.Donze

The largest flow of natural hydrogen gas ever recorded has been measured deep in an Albanian mine. The discovery could help locate underground reserves of this clean fuel.

“The lather is really intense,” he says. Laurent Truche Researchers at France’s Grenoble-Alpes University measured gas in a pool of water about a kilometer underground. “It’s like a jacuzzi.”

Companies are currently searching for natural hydrogen deposits around the world as a source of clean fuel, but there is scant evidence that this “golden hydrogen” has accumulated in large quantities. Most claims about vast subsurface hydrogen deposits rely on extrapolation rather than direct measurements.

In search of more substantive evidence, Truche and his colleagues descended on Albania’s Balkizekromite mine. There, hydrogen gas escaping from the rocks has caused several explosions. The mine is also located in an outcrop of iron-rich rocks known as ophiolites. In other places, such as Oman, water is known to react with such rocks to produce hydrogen.

The researchers found that more than 80% of the gas bubbling out of the pool was hydrogen, mixed with methane and small amounts of nitrogen. That gas was flowing at a rate of 11 tons per year, almost an order of magnitude more than any other gas. Flow of hydrogen gas measured from a single point source elsewhere on the Earth’s surface.

To determine the source of the gas, the researchers also modeled various geological scenarios that could produce such flows. They found that the most likely scenario is that the gas is coming from a deeper reservoir of hydrogen accumulated in faults beneath the mine. Based on the geometry of the fault, they estimate that the reservoir contains at least 5,000 to 50,000 tons of hydrogen.

“This is one of the largest amounts of natural hydrogen ever measured,” he says. Eric Gaucher an independent geochemist focused on natural hydrogen.

But he says it’s still not a huge amount. Jeffrey Ellis At the U.S. Geological Survey. But evidence of stable hydrogen accumulation supports the idea that there is more hydrogen stored underground, he says. “We need to look deeper.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Confining Atoms in a Small Tube Creates a Strange “Primary Gas”

Posted on January 22, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A single atom of krypton trapped in a Buckminsterfullerene cage

University of Nottingham

The krypton atoms become stuck in a “traffic jam” inside the carbon nanotube, unable to pass through each other, allowing scientists to more easily observe how the krypton atoms interact. Researchers hope that this “primary energetic body” can shed light on fundamental physical forces.

Andrey Klobistov and his colleagues at the University of Nottingham, UK, have discovered that the narrow space restricts movement and makes it easier to observe the inside of carbon nanotubes, which are just 1.5 nanometers thick (one-half millionth the width of a human hair). He spent years studying chemical reactions. They have now developed a way to do the same thing with atoms of the rare gas krypton, creating a so-called one-dimensional gas.

The researchers used a buckminsterfullerene molecule, a spherical cage made of 60 carbon atoms, with a krypton atom trapped inside. These molecules are sucked into the carbon nanotube by van der Waals forces, weak attractive forces caused by fluctuations in the electron cloud surrounding the atomic nucleus. Once filled, the tube is heated to 1200 °C and the cage is destroyed. The carbon atoms are absorbed into the nanotube, leaving behind a string of krypton atoms.

A single atom of krypton confined in a Buckminsterfullerene cage inside a nanotube, observed with an electron microscope

University of Nottingham

Klovistov said the result is like a “traffic jam” in which atoms can be observed slowly, rather than flying around at up to 400 meters per second, as they often do in three-dimensional gases. The group used a transmission electron microscope to image atoms, allowing them to accurately measure the distances between them.

“They fundamentally change their behavior,” Klovistov said. “This is a very interesting system. We can track their trajectories, how they move and how they interact. This is a great toy to play with with noble gases. “We can gain a fundamental understanding of the behavior of atoms under extreme confinement.”

Other researchers have already observed that krypton atoms form pairs held together by van der Waals forces. This phenomenon is difficult to observe in unconstrained atoms and can also occur within nanotubes. Klobistov said future experiments will be “full of surprises.”

Future research will investigate how temperature affects primary gas. If you reduce the temperature of a gas in three-dimensional space, it will condense into a liquid and then solidify, but there is no guarantee that the same rules will apply in his one dimension.

“Maybe there's no such thing as a 1D liquid, it's just a 1D solid. It's a bit of a voyage of discovery,” says Klobistov.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Physicists have successfully captured direct images of noble gas nanoclusters at room temperature

Posted on January 12, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

For the first time, physicists have directly imaged small clusters of noble gas atoms at room temperature. This result opens up exciting possibilities for fundamental research in condensed matter physics and applications in quantum information technology.

Xenon nanoclusters between two graphene layers. Sizes range from 2 to 10 atoms. Image credit: Manuel L'Engle.

“When I was researching the use of ion irradiation to modify the properties of graphene and other two-dimensional materials, I noticed something unusual. They can become trapped between the sheets,” the University of Vienna said. Dr. Jani Kotaski and his colleagues.

“This happens when noble gas ions pass through the first graphene layer fast enough to pass through, but not the second graphene layer.”

“Once trapped between the layers, the noble gases are free to move because they do not form chemical bonds.”

“But to accommodate the noble gas atoms, the graphene bends to form tiny pockets.”

“Here, two or more noble gas atoms can meet and form two-dimensional noble gas nanoclusters that are ordered and densely packed.”

The researchers' method overcomes the difficulty that noble gases do not form stable structures under experimental conditions at ambient temperatures.

“We observed these clusters using a scanning transmission electron microscope, and they are really fascinating and very fun to look at,” said Dr. Manuel L'Engle, a physicist at the University of Vienna.

“They rotate, jump, grow, and shrink as we imagine them.”

“Getting the atoms between the layers was the most difficult part of the job.”

“Achieving this gives us a simple system to study fundamental processes related to the growth and behavior of materials.”

“The next step is to study the properties of clusters containing different noble gases and how they behave at low and high temperatures,” Dr Kotasky added.

“With the use of noble gases in light sources and lasers, these new structures may enable future applications such as quantum information technology.”

a paper The findings were published in this week's magazine Natural materials.

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M. Langre other. Two-dimensional few atomic noble gas clusters within a graphene sandwich. nut.meter, published online on January 11, 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41563-023-01780-1

Source: www.sci.news

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Expected to Decrease Starting in 2024

Posted on December 29, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Carbon emissions from fossil fuels could finally start declining in 2024

Villanor/Shutterstock

Emissions of greenhouse gases that cause global warming have been on the rise since the Industrial Revolution, and 2023 looks set to be no different. According to him, this year emissions from fossil fuel combustion increased by more than 1% compared to 2022. global carbon budget Edited by Pierre Friedlingstein and his colleagues from the University of Exeter, UK.

However, in 2024, these emissions could begin to decline for the first time, largely due to unprecedented circumstances.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Alabama’s Plan to Use Nitrogen Gas for Execution: A Little-Known Method

Posted on December 28, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Alabama has announced it will use nitrogen gas in an upcoming execution. This would make the state the first to use such a method as officials struggle with a shortage of lethal injection drugs. Legal challenges are on the horizon as the matter is under consideration.

While Alabama is eager to use nitrogen, details of the protocol remain under wraps, with some information on how the process works being kept from the public. Death row inmate Kenneth Eugene Smith noted his lack of access to unredacted state protocols that explain how the process works, alongside other inmates under the sentence.

In addition to the novelty of Smith’s case, he is also a rare survivor of a failed execution attempt from last year. Smith, convicted for his role in the 1988 murder of a preacher’s wife, Elizabeth Sennett, remains awaiting execution with the proposed nitrogen method set for January. In light of unsuccessful attempts to execute Smith using lethal injection, the state agreed to try an alternative method.

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Although lethal injection remains Alabama’s primary method of execution, the state authorized the use of nitrogen in 2018 and aims to use it in Smith’s case. With many questions remaining and the state’s questionable track record, critics argue that the decision to use an untested method won’t win public trust.

This month, Smith’s lawyers argued before a federal judge that the use of nitrogen hypoxia violates the Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. An anesthetist testifying on Smith’s behalf expressed concerns about possible adverse effects on Smith’s health, such as vomiting, suffocation, or going into a vegetative state.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Incredible flow of natural gas beneath permafrost

Posted on December 24, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Scientists have discovered that methane trapped beneath Svalbard’s permafrost could escape and put it at risk of a warming cycle. Frequent methane accumulations found in well exploration highlight the potential for increased global warming as permafrost thaws. Credit: SciTechDaily.com

Scientists say large amounts of methane may be trapped beneath the permafrost and could escape if it thaws.

Research in Svalbard has shown that methane is moving beneath the permafrost. Lowland regions have ice-rich permafrost, which acts as an effective gas seal, while highland regions with less ice appear to be more permeable. If permafrost thaws too much, greenhouse gas emissions could leak and temperatures could rise further.

Millions of cubic meters of methane are trapped beneath Svalbard’s permafrost. And scientists now know that methane can escape by moving beneath the cold seal of permafrost. A large-scale escape could create a warming cycle that would cause methane emissions to skyrocket. Global warming will thaw permafrost, releasing more gases; warming will thaw more permafrost, releasing more gases. These mobile methane deposits may exist elsewhere in the Arctic, as Svalbard’s geological and glacial history is very similar to other parts of the Arctic region.

“Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas,” said the study’s lead author, Dr. Thomas Birshall of the Svalbard University Center. Frontiers of Earth Science. “Although leakage from beneath the permafrost is currently very low, factors such as retreating glaciers and thawing of the permafrost could ‘uncover’ the problem in the future.”

Refrigerated

Permafrost, ground that remains below freezing Celsius It has been prevalent in Svalbard for over two years. However, it is not uniform or continuous. The western part of Svalbard is warmer due to ocean currents, so the permafrost can be thinner and more patchy. Permafrost in highlands is drier and more permeable, whereas permafrost in lowlands is saturated with ice. The rocks below are often a source of fossil fuels and emit methane, which is locked away by permafrost. However, even where permafrost exists continuously, gas can escape depending on the geographical features.

The bottom of permafrost is difficult to study because it is inaccessible. But over the years, many wells have been sunk into permafrost by companies looking for fossil fuels. Researchers used historical data from commercial and research wells to map permafrost across Svalbard and identify permafrost gas accumulations.

“My boss, Kim, and I looked at a lot of historical well data in Svalbard,” Birchall said. “Kim noticed one recurring theme, and that was the accumulation of gas at the bottom of the permafrost.”

Discover methane accumulation

Initial temperature measurements are often compromised by heating the drilling mud to prevent freezing of the wellbore. But by observing trends in temperature measurements and monitoring boreholes over time, scientists were able to identify permafrost. They also looked at ice formation within the wellbore, changes in drill chips produced during drilling of the wellbore, and changes in background gas measurements.

Well monitors confirmed the flow of gas into the wellbore, indicating that gas was accumulating beneath the permafrost, and abnormal pressure measurements indicated that the icy permafrost was acting as a seal. I did. In other cases, the permafrost and underlying geology are suitable for trapping gas, and even if the rock is a known source of hydrocarbons, it may not be present and the gas produced This suggests that they were already on the move.

Unexpectedly frequent discoveries

Scientists stressed that gas buildup is much more common than expected. Of his 18 hydrocarbon exploration wells drilled in Svalbard, eight showed evidence of permafrost, and half of them showed gas accumulation.

“All wells that encounter gas accumulation have done so by chance. In contrast, hydrocarbon exploration wells that specifically target accumulation in more typical environments have a success rate of well over 50%. It was below,” Birchall said. “This seems to be a common occurrence. One anecdotal example comes from a recently drilled well near the airport in Longyearbyen.Drillers heard bubbling coming from the well. So I decided to take a look, equipped with a rudimentary alarm designed to detect explosive levels of methane. As soon as I held the alarm over the well, it went off.”

Impact on climate change

Experts have shown that the active layer of permafrost – the top 1-2 meters that thaws and refreezes seasonally – is expanding as the climate warms. However, little, if any, is known about how deeper permafrost is changing. Understanding this depends on understanding fluid flow beneath permafrost. As permanently frozen permafrost becomes thinner and more splotchy, this methane can move and escape more easily, accelerating global warming and potentially exacerbating the climate crisis.

References: “Natural gas trapped in permafrost in Svalbard, Norway” by Thomas Birchall, Marte Jochman, Peter Bethlem, Kim Senger, Andrew Hodson and Snorre Olaussen, October 30, 2023. Frontiers of Earth Science.
DOI: 10.3389/feart.2023.1277027

Source: scitechdaily.com

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Refrigerated

Discover methane accumulation

Unexpectedly frequent discoveries

Impact on climate change