Innovative Floating Solar Power Project by Chenya Energy
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The ocean presents a groundbreaking opportunity for the rapidly expanding solar energy sector. Recent studies reveal that floating solar farms off the coast of Taiwan outperform land-based solar farms in terms of electricity generation and profitability.
Taiwan, comparable in size to the Netherlands, has limited open land due to its mountainous terrain and a population of 5 million. To address this, Chenya Energy developed a 181 MW offshore floating photovoltaic (OFPV) project, utilizing 1.8 square kilometers of water in a protected bay within an industrial park.
A year earlier, Taiwan Power Company had established a 100-megawatt land-based solar photovoltaic (LPV) project on 1.4 square kilometers nearby, providing an excellent comparison for researchers, excluding the additional 81 megawatts from the floating solar farm.
According to the research, floating solar technology generates 12% more electricity compared to traditional land-based systems. Although operating and maintenance costs are somewhat elevated, the net returns stand at 11% for OFPV versus 8% for LPV.
Lead author Qingfeng Chen from the National Taipei University of Technology notes, “While installing solar systems at sea is more complex than on land, the carbon and emissions reductions from OFPV make it a superior choice compared to LPV.”
To date, over 1,100 floating solar setups have been launched, predominantly in lakes and reservoirs across China and other densely populated Asian countries. The primary benefit is that it does not compete with land that could be used for agriculture or development, while also achieving up to 20% more energy than land-based systems—though results can vary significantly by location.
This enhanced performance is attributed to the cooler temperatures—typically 2-3 °C lower on water than on land— which help mitigate efficiency losses in solar panels. The strong winds over large bodies of water further contribute to this cooling effect.
Chen states, “Heat is the main enemy.” Even in oceanic environments—which are cooler than lakes and reservoirs—floating solar generation continues to provide substantial electricity outputs. However, construction remains challenging, and only a limited number of projects have been implemented.
The largest such project is in China, comprising a 1-gigawatt system in shallow waters off Shandong province. Floating solar platforms are anchored to the seabed, and in Taiwan, cells are directly placed on the ocean floor during low tide.
Installation costs for floating systems can be approximately 30% higher than land-based setups, as they have to endure moisture, rust, salt, and wave action. Additional maintenance is required to mitigate salt and debris buildup, with employees needing to clean the solar panels and remove any debris.
Despite these challenges, the higher power output significantly offsets the initial investment over the project’s lifespan. Chen’s study did not factor in long-term wear from waves and storms, which may pose increased risks for offshore wind farms, which seek to integrate floating solar for energy production when wind currents weaken.
Research published last year indicated that adequately covering just 1% of ocean surfaces with wind and solar systems could satisfy nearly 30% of global electricity demands by 2050.
In recent years, German and Dutch companies have tested offshore solar projects around 12 kilometers from the Netherlands’ coastline. A pilot project survived waves reaching up to 10 meters since 2019. However, another floating solar installation near the Hollandse Kust Noord wind farm faced operational issues due to a faulty electrical connector, prompting immediate action from Shell and Eneko to remove it last year.
Another consideration is the ecological impact of floating PV systems, which can reduce oxygen and light in the water, potentially affecting aquatic organisms like phytoplankton and seaweed. Vincent Bax, a researcher at HZ University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, cautions that while offshore deployment could face challenges from waves and weather, the proximity to shore may negatively impact biodiversity.
Nevertheless, he asserts that “Considering its lower impact on terrestrial ecosystems, this technology has significant potential.”
Given the technical difficulties involved in offshore solar energy production, Chen predicts a strong focus in growth toward sun-rich islands with limited offshore wind resources, including Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, and nations in the Caribbean.
Space debris, including defunct satellites and leftover rocket stages, poses an increasing risk to operational spacecraft and human space missions. Recent research indicates that heightened solar activity may accelerate the descent of space debris, influencing how scientists estimate satellite lifespans and collision probabilities.
When solar activity reaches approximately 67% of its peak, space debris descends more rapidly.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO), ranging from 400 to 2,000 km, serves as a prime location for image surveillance satellites, including Starlink and large-scale internet “megaconstellations.”
However, this region is cluttered with “space junk,” like retired satellites and rocket stages, posing risks to new launches. A single collision can trigger a chain reaction of extensive damage.
Efforts to use robotic systems for capturing space debris are still in their infancy. Researchers are currently focused on accurately tracking debris and identifying the most hazardous objects for future removal.
“We demonstrate that heightened solar activity accelerates the altitude loss of space debris surrounding Earth,” explained Dr. Aisha Ashraf, a researcher at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center.
“For the first time, we reveal that this altitude reduction occurs significantly faster once solar activity surpasses a specific threshold.”
“This finding is expected to play a crucial role in planning sustainable future space operations.”
The sun operates on an 11-year cycle, alternating between active and quiet phases, which correlates with sunspot numbers and affects the intensity of solar radiation.
UV radiation and charged particles (such as helium nuclei and heavy ions) increase during active periods.
When this solar outburst peaks, as observed in 2024, it heats Earth’s thermosphere, located at altitudes of 100 to 1,000 km, with temperatures ranging from 500 to 2,500 degrees Celsius.
This elevation in atmospheric density around orbiting objects (350-36,000 km altitude) increases atmospheric resistance or “drag,” accelerating their descent.
In their study, Dr. Ashraf and colleagues analyzed the historical trajectories of 17 LEO space debris objects over a 36-year timeline beginning in the 1960s, encompassing the 22nd to 24th solar cycles.
These objects orbit the Earth every 90 to 120 minutes at altitudes of 600 to 800 km and have yet to reenter the atmosphere; eventually, they will combust upon reentry.
Since space debris does not engage in active station-keeping like artificial satellites, its descent rates are influenced solely by variations in thermosphere density.
“This characteristic makes space junk an excellent indicator for assessing the long-term impacts of solar activity on atmospheric drag,” stated the researchers.
They correlated these orbits with extensive data from the German Geoscience Research Center, which monitors sunspot activity alongside daily shifts in solar radio and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation.
The findings indicated that when sunspot numbers exceed two-thirds of their peak, space debris crosses a “transition boundary,” prompting faster descent.
“This threshold appears unrelated to a specific solar radiation value but rather hinges on the sun’s proximity to its peak activity,” remarked Dr. Ashraf.
“At this juncture, the sun emits more intense EUV radiation, potentially due to amplified solar activities near the peak.”
The researchers emphasized that their discoveries will assist space scientists in optimizing satellite trajectories and mitigating collision risks with debris.
“Our findings suggest that when solar activity heightens beyond a particular level, satellites decline in altitude more rapidly, akin to space debris, necessitating more frequent orbital adjustments,” Dr. Ashraf noted.
“This directly impacts a satellite’s operational duration in orbit and its fuel requirements, particularly for missions launched close to solar maximum.”
“Remarkably, all this valuable information derives from objects launched in the 1960s.”
“They continue to contribute to our understanding and act as vital instruments for investigating the long-term effects of solar activity on the thermosphere.”
The team’s study has been published in the latest issue of Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Science.
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Aisha M. Ashraf et al. 2026. Characterizing the influence of solar cycles on long-term orbital degradation of Low-Earth Orbit space debris. Front. Astron. Space Sci. 13; doi: 10.3389/fspas.2026.1797886
New research from Rice University reveals that sulfur plays a crucial role in maintaining the cool, molten interior of Mercury, offering fresh insights into the evolution of the planet’s unique crust and mantle.
Yishen Zhang and Rajdeep Dasgupta shed light on sulfur’s influence in shaping the thermochemical evolution of Mercury and similar reduced rocky planets. Image credit: NASA / Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory / Carnegie Institution of Washington.
“Mercury’s surface is distinctly different from Earth’s,” explains Rajdeep Dasgupta, director of the Center for Planetary Origins and Habitability at the Rice Institute for Space Studies.
“Relying on Earth-based assumptions to study Mercury’s igneous evolution is inadequate, and mission data presents interpretation challenges.”
“We needed a way to replicate Mercury’s conditions in the lab using a meteorite known as Indarch.”
The Indarch meteorite, which fell in Azerbaijan in 1891, mirrors Mercury’s chemical composition closely.
Researchers leveraged the similarities with Indarch to investigate Mercury’s formation, publishing their findings in a recent paper.
“Indarch is chemically as reduced as Mercury’s rocks,” stated Yishen Zhang, a postdoctoral fellow at Rice University.
“It may even provide clues regarding Earth’s building blocks.”
Using the model melt composition from Indarch, scientists created a synthetic version of Mercury rock in a high-pressure, high-temperature environment.
The procedure was quite straightforward: they combined Indarch’s chemical components in small glass vessels, adjusted the facility to mimic Mercury’s conditions, added chemicals, and initiated the cooking process.
“This rock-cooking technique reveals the chemical processes occurring within Mercury,” Zhang remarked.
“By employing temperature, pressure, and chemical parameters derived from spacecraft observations, we aim to recreate Mercury-like conditions to enhance our understanding of magma formation and evolution—even without direct samples from the planet.”
The researchers discovered that sulfur reduces the temperature at which these molten, reduced rocks crystallize.
This indicates that Mercury’s sulfur-rich magma remains molten at lower temperatures compared to Earth’s similar magma.
The significant drop in crystallization temperature is attributed to Mercury’s unique chemical profile: low iron, high sulfur, and its chemically reduced state.
Sulfur is a versatile element, typically bonding with other elements, predominantly iron.
In iron-rich planets like Mars and Earth, sulfur is mostly attached to iron. However, Mercury’s low iron content allows sulfur to seek out new partners.
Specifically, sulfur can bond with key rock-forming elements such as magnesium and calcium.
On Earth, these rock-forming elements typically combine with oxygen to form stable structures known as silicate networks, made up of silicon, oxygen, and these elements.
Nonetheless, when sulfur replaces oxygen in this network, the structure becomes weaker, leading to lower crystallization temperatures.
“Since Indarch may represent a protoplanetary state of Mercury, our experiments suggest that sulfur likely occupied a structural role typically held by oxygen on Earth. This fundamentally alters the crystallization behavior of Mercury’s mantle,” noted Zhang.
“This provides fascinating insights into Mercury’s evolution and the distinct chemistry of its surface,” remarked Professor Dasgupta.
“More critically, it enables us to consider planetary formation in terms of their unique chemistries and igneous dynamics under various conditions.”
“Sulfur influences Mercury similarly to how water and carbon influence magma evolution on Earth.”
The findings are published in the journal Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta.
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Yishen Zhang and Rajdeep Dasgupta. Effects of sulfur on the near-liquid phase relationships of highly reduced basaltic melts and implications for Mercury’s magmatism. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta published online on February 26, 2026. doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2026.02.034
Easily Installed Plug-in Solar Panels for Your Balcony
Image Credit: imageBROKER.com / Alamy Stock Photo
The global growth of solar energy generation is remarkable. In just 15 years, the costs associated with solar power installations have plummeted by 90%, now comprising over 90% of the costs for setting up solar systems. This surge now represents around 80% of the world’s new power capacity each year. As oil and gas prices surged due to conflicts in the Middle East, solar power emerged as a logical alternative for numerous countries.
In the UK, instead of sticking to the old methods, the government plans to legalize a previously banned form of solar energy generation. “This will be available within months.” Through local shops and supermarkets.
These plug-in solar systems are user-friendly: bring the panel home, place it in a sunny location, and simply plug it in. There’s no installation cost and you can immediately start generating solar energy for your home. If you relocate, just take the panels with you, making solar energy increasingly affordable and accessible.
Many nations have already adopted plug-in solar technology with high expectations for its global impact. However, critical questions remain: Will it actually reduce energy costs? How affordable is it? Is it safe?
Plug-in solar is a more straightforward solution. With smaller kits, you can acquire an 800-watt system for roughly £400, which could supply about 20% of the average UK household’s energy needs. Installation is quick and easy—you attach the panels to a balcony railing or garage roof and plug it into an outlet to start generating energy.
While excess energy returns to the grid, without professional installation, you won’t earn from it. As noted by Mark Golding, a British solar panel installer at Spirit Energy, “essentially that energy just benefits the neighbor.”
Plug-in solar technology has already made inroads outside the UK, with over 1 million systems installed in countries like Germany , where as of July last year, it had a total capacity of 1.6 to 2.4 gigawatts—enough to boil 500,000 kettles all at once.
Germany is currently the only country effectively tracking plug-in solar systems, making statistical information scarce. However, estimates suggest up to 5 million kits are in use across Europe . Though small in the overall energy mix, these systems can lower individual energy bills and cumulatively boost renewable energy output countrywide.
Jan Rosenau , a researcher from Oxford University, believes adoption rates could increase if governments continue to allow personal installations. He asserts, “Though each system is small, their collective impact on distributed generation and public involvement in the energy transition is significant.”
Currently, many plug-in panels remain illegal in the U.S., but Utah has become the first state to legalize their use. Numerous other states are following suit. A similar bill is underway. According to Cola Stryker from BrightSaver, a U.S. solar non-profit, individuals outside Utah face excessive bureaucratic hurdles to install a few panels compared to those developing large-scale solar farms, marking a dubious situation.
Stryker anticipates that plug-in solar could alleviate financial stress, contribute to climate change mitigation, and pave the way for significantly wider adoption of renewable electricity across the U.S. “This could mark a critical turning point, allowing the benefits of renewable energy costs to be accessible to consumers,” she predicts. BrightSaver estimates that by 2035, 24 million U.S. households could utilize plug-in solar solutions.
Is Plug-in Solar Safe?
Despite its widespread use, safety experts express concerns over plug-in solar kits. Mark Coles from the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) suggests that consumers check their home’s wiring before purchasing a system. Moreover, several areas of concern have been noted.
One issue is the potential ineffectiveness of residual current devices (RCDs). RCDs, which help prevent electric shocks and short circuits, may not be equipped for split current flows. In the U.S., there are similar concerns. Germany’s rapid advancements were aided by the standardization of two-way RCDs in the 1980s.
Another concern raised by the IET is related to systems that operate multiple kits during a power outage. Plug-in setups should ideally shut down; however, if they continue generating energy, this may confuse devices into thinking that grid power is still available, posing risks for electrical workers during repairs due to potential electrocution.
“This places maintenance personnel at risk,” Coles comments. “This contradicts the ‘just buy and plug in’ idea, but the reality is that public safety risks are present.”
While Coles acknowledges the advantages of plug-in solar, he emphasizes the necessity for manufacturers to demonstrate the safety of their products in unusual circumstances.
New Scientist reported that the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero maintains that their testing shows plug-in solar systems can be safely used with domestic circuits within the UK. All products must align with UK product safety regulations, and an independent review is underway to determine further guidelines before sales commence.
Stryker asserts that the greatest risk lies in the decision to do nothing amid the escalating effects of climate change and rising energy costs affecting many households. She believes public adoption of this technology will occur regardless of formal approval, stressing that the priority should be ensuring public safety. “Solar energy is the most affordable energy available globally, and it’s the cheapest energy ever produced by humanity,” she concludes.
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New Models Suggest Flawed Understanding of Early Solar System
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The formation of the inner solar system may not align with previous scientific beliefs. Traditionally, researchers posited that rocky planets emerged from a singular disc of dust and debris originating from the early solar system. However, groundbreaking new simulations indicate the possible existence of two distinct disks.
Models relying on a single disk or ring of material surrounding the young Sun tend to fall short in replicating several observable features of our solar system. For instance, Earth’s unique rock composition suggests a blend of two different types, which raises questions about their originating from a singular ring. Moreover, single-ring models often render Mercury and Mars disproportionately large while placing Venus and Earth too closely together, leading to composition similarities between Earth and Mars that seem out of place.
Bill Bottke, along with his team at Colorado’s Southwest Research Institute, conducted a series of sophisticated simulations exploring how planets could evolve from a shared reservoir of material. Yet they faced persistent challenges.
“For six months, we tried different simulations without success,” Bottke explained during a recent presentation at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference held in Texas on March 16th. “In a moment of desperation, we considered testing a second reservoir and discovered that this approach yielded a viable model for creating terrestrial planets, while addressing many of the outstanding concerns.”
The optimal model proposed involved two separate disks: one situated about half the current distance from the Sun to Earth and the other approximately 1.7 times that distance. The simulation resulted in planets of proper size and distance.
This theory also aligns with the compositions of the Earth, Moon, and Mars. “We believe Earth predominantly formed from material sourced from the inner solar system, with only a minor contribution from outside,” noted Jan Hermann, who delivered a related presentation the same day at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Germany. In contrast, Mars appears to have formed mainly from the outer disk, explaining the contrasting compositions of the two planets.
Nonetheless, some researchers express concern that this model relies on very specific initial conditions that may not be entirely understood. “Small alterations in the shape of the disk can significantly affect the outcome of where terrestrial planets are positioned,” Bottke cautioned.
Current efforts are focused on refining the model and exploring additional factors that may influence solar system formation. “We’re investing considerable computational resources to examine every logical possibility,” Bottke indicated. If successful, this new perspective could illuminate various solar system enigmas, from anomalous asteroids to mysterious lunar rocks.
Credit: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/B. Bolin
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS showcases unprecedented levels of water and carbon compounds, hinting that it originated around a star vastly different from our Sun—likely billions of years older.
Astronomers have meticulously monitored 3I/ATLAS since its entry into our solar system last year, revealing an astonishing composition rich in carbon dioxide and water. Initial analyses estimate its age at about 8 billion years—almost double that of our Sun.
According to Martin Cordiner and his research team at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, the comet’s deuterium levels (a hydrogen isotope with additional neutrons) are at least ten times higher than any previously recorded comet.
Typically, deuterium exists in minor concentrations in Earth’s oceans, but 3I/ATLAS displays levels more than 40 times greater. “3I/ATLAS continues to amaze us with its revelations about the similarities and differences between its host system and our own,” Cordiner stated. His team utilized the James Webb Space Telescope for these groundbreaking observations.
“It’s truly extraordinary,” commented Paul Hartog from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Germany. “The ratio of deuterium to hydrogen in its water composition is highly unusual and unexpected.”
Such elevated deuterium levels are generally found in the coldest regions of the Milky Way, suggests Ewain van Dishus of the Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands. “This indicates it likely resides in the outermost disk of the star it orbits, facilitating its ejection,” Dishus explained.
Cordiner and colleagues also identified relatively low levels of carbon-13, an isotope usually created during supernova explosions. The low carbon-13 concentrations found in 3I/ATLAS point to its formation during a time when supernovae contaminants were rare, implying the comet formed around a star system aged between 10 to 12 billion years—again, more than twice the age of our solar system, according to Cordiner.
However, Dishus cautions that the imprecise carbon data means we cannot conclusively determine its exact age.
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Athlete Nomar
Feedback has been astonished—shocked—to discover that a grove of trees in northern Italy was believed to predict a solar eclipse.
You might wonder, “Are you suggesting that some thought trees could genuinely forecast solar eclipses?” Surprisingly, the answer is yes.
The partial solar eclipse occurred on October 25, 2022. Botanists led by Alessandro Chiorerio had previously inserted electrodes into Norwegian spruce trees to monitor their bioelectrical activity. In a report published in April 2025, they claimed that “Trees anticipated the eclipse and synchronized their bioelectrical behavior hours in advance, with older trees showing greater anticipatory behavior due to initial time asymmetry and increased entropy.”
Ultimately, the errors became apparent. A paper published in Trends in Plant Science on February 6th reported this finding, with insights from journalist Matthew Sparks, who should likely receive recognition for his contributions.
Authors Ariel Nowopransky and Hegyi Isak noted that the drop in sunlight during the eclipse was minimal, ensuring the trees had sufficient light. Moreover, such solar eclipses occur every 18 years or so. The oldest trees in the study, around 70 years old, may not have lived long enough to learn patterns, since solar eclipses trace various paths across the Earth’s surface.
Feedback has examined the original study, but it seems unnecessary to delve deeply to debunk it. The team only wired three trees and five stumps. While sample size isn’t everything, it does matter.
The paper also includes a lengthy section on “Theoretical Analysis of Quantum Field Theory.” Yes, the Q word! “A tree is open, thus dissipative. The system continuously exchanges (releases and receives) matter and energy with the environment in various forms.” Aging of the system and the evolution of time (arrow of time) are discussed, although after the first paragraph’s analysis, it felt like we entered a quantum state where we lost interest.
Interestingly, the electrical activity of the trees was synchronized in the 14 hours leading up to the eclipse. How can we explain this? Novoplansky and Isak suggested, “A total of 664 lightning strikes occurred from October 22 to 25, 2022,” including three strikes within 10 kilometers of the site during the 14 hours prior to the eclipse. Perhaps that’s a factor.
Please Don’t Spill It
Continuing our theme of “People inadvertently sending out amusing press releases,” Feedback received great news about tea.
“Recent scientific research indicates that consuming a daily cup of tea can offer heart-healthy benefits, with growing evidence supporting its effects on cholesterol levels, blood pressure, inflammation, and blood clotting.” As regular tea drinkers, Feedback finds this news uplifting—especially for Mrs. Feedback, whose bloodstream is approximately 70% tea.
Who delivered this news? The Tea Advisory Committee of course. Feedback had not previously heard of them, although their website claims they are “supported by the organization” and receive a restricted educational grant from the UK Tea & Infusions Association, the trade association for the UK tea industry. Their purpose is to “provide the media with unbiased information about the health benefits of black tea.”
The final statement of the press release reads: “Previous research has indicated that the ideal amount is four cups of tea daily, yet only a third (35%) of Brits report drinking three to four cups a day. Our challenge, as tea experts and nutritional scientists, is to ensure the public understands the heart health benefits of tea.” Feedback has more details, but we adore espresso.
Universal and Free
In our ongoing quest to identify exemplary and flawed technical abbreviations, Feedback uncovered a fantastic initiative undertaken by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University.
The concept is straightforward. From Legos to Stickle Bricks, a myriad of construction toys exists. However, they often lack interoperability; with few exceptions, you can’t connect parts from different systems.
Golan Levin and Shawn Sims took it upon themselves to create an open-source 3D printable adapter that allows components from various construction systems to be combined. If you own a 3D printer, you can download the design for free and fabricate your own hybrid toy.
It’s quite impressive. The designers explain their goal to enable “radically hybrid constructive play, creating designs previously deemed impossible, ultimately providing more creative opportunities for children” and to deliver “a public service that corporate interests cannot or will not fulfill.”
Feedback believes this kit deserves wide usage. However, we suspect that the name “Free Universal Construction Kit” might limit its appeal to parents somewhat.
Have a story for Feedback?
You can email your article to Feedback at feedback@newscientist.com. Please include your home address. This week’s feedback and past editions can be found on our website.
Researchers from Korea University are paving the way for more efficient and cost-effective renewable energy generation by utilizing gold nanospheres designed to capture light across the entire solar spectrum.
Hung Lo et al. introduced plasmonic colloidal superballs as a versatile platform for broadband solar energy harvesting. Image credit: Hung Lo et al., doi: 10.1021/acsami.5c23149.
Scientists are exploring novel materials that efficiently absorb light across the solar spectrum to enhance solar energy harvesting.
Gold and silver nanoparticles have been identified as viable options due to their ease of fabrication and cost-effectiveness, yet current nanoparticles primarily absorb visible wavelengths.
To extend absorption into additional wavelengths, including near-infrared light, researcher Seungwoo Lee and colleagues from Korea University propose the innovative use of self-assembled gold superballs.
These unique structures consist of gold nanoparticles aggregating to form small spherical shapes.
The diameter of the superball was meticulously adjusted to optimize absorption of sunlight’s diverse wavelengths.
The research team first employed computer simulations to refine the design of each superball and predict the overall performance of the superball film.
Simulation outcomes indicated that the superball could absorb over 90% of sunlight’s wavelengths.
Next, the scientists created a film of gold superballs by drying a solution containing these structures on a commercially available thermoelectric generator, a device that converts light energy into electricity.
Films were produced under ambient room conditions—no cleanroom or extreme temperatures needed.
In tests using an LED solar simulator, the average solar absorption rate of the superball-coated thermoelectric generator reached approximately 89%, nearly double that of a conventional thermoelectric generator featuring a single gold nanoparticle membrane (45%).
“Our plasmonic superball offers a straightforward method to harness the entire solar spectrum,” said Dr. Lee.
“Ultimately, this coating technology could significantly reduce barriers for high-efficiency solar and photothermal systems in real-world energy applications.”
The team’s research is published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.
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Ro Kyung Hoon et al.. 2026. Plasmonic Supraball for Scalable Broadband Solar Energy Generation. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 18 (1): 2523-2537; doi: 10.1021/acsami.5c23149
Possible Large Clump of Dark Matter Near Our Galaxy
Credit: Alamy
A significant discovery indicates the presence of a gigantic dark matter cloud adjacent to our solar system. These clouds, previously unidentified in the Milky Way, have been detected thanks to precise cosmic clocks known as pulsars.
Current cosmological models propose that galaxies are enveloped in diffuse clouds of dark matter called halos, with smaller subhaloes scattered throughout. However, the elusive nature of dark matter, which neither emits, absorbs, nor reflects light, complicates the detection of these halos and subhalos.
To quantify this dark matter phenomenon, Sukanya Chakrabarti and her research team at the University of Alabama in Huntsville leveraged pairs of rapidly spinning neutron stars known as pulsars. These cosmic clocks emit beams of light at consistent intervals, allowing researchers to measure variations in their trajectories when influenced by large nearby mass.
Given that dark matter interacts with ordinary matter solely through gravity, an adjacent dark matter subhalo would alter the orbit of neighboring pulsars. This is precisely what Chakrabarti and her collaborators identified approximately 3,000 light years from our solar system. “Our observations detected a pair of pulsars whose motions indicate an unexpected gravitational pull from an unseen object,” comments Philip Chan from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
The research revealed that this gravitational influence originated from an object approximately 60 million times more massive than the Sun and spanning hundreds of light years. After mapping the location against stellar data, no correlations with known celestial bodies were found. If validated, this object could be a unique example of dark matter.
This potential dark matter subhalo could be the only instance of such size in our local galactic vicinity. “There may only be one or two of these large features nearby, depending on dark matter models,” suggests Alice Quillen at the University of Rochester in New York. “Different dark matter theories propose varying distributions of these structures.”
This pursuit is what catalyzed Chakrabarti’s interest in subhalo research. “Our objective is to map as many subhaloes as we can throughout the galaxy, and we’re just beginning to achieve that. Ultimately, we aim to elucidate the nature of dark matter,” she asserts.
However, pulsar binaries are scarce; only 27 instances provide sufficient accuracy for measuring gravitational acceleration. This scarcity explains why this subhalo remained undetected until now. “Given the finite number of pulsars, we are exploring alternative methods to monitor them using a broader array of objects,” states Zhang. If successful, this could be a breakthrough in understanding the true nature of dark matter.
Since the early 1990s, astronomers have made groundbreaking discoveries in exoplanet research. The real surge began in the early 2000s with comprehensive surveys, revealing that our unique solar system, featuring four rocky planets and four gas giants, might be unlike most others.
For decades, the Chilean High Precision Radial Velocity Planet Probe and the California Legacy Survey have meticulously tracked the stellar wobbles caused by exoplanets. While these surveys have not as many exoplanet discoveries as pioneering telescopes like Kepler and TESS, they shed light on the distinctiveness of our solar system.
For instance, our Sun outsize over 90% of other stars and exists alone, unlike many stars with companion stars. Earth’s size is also exceptional; only 1 in 10 stars hosts a planet like Jupiter. When such planets are found, their orbits often dramatically differ from Jupiter’s stable, circular path. Notably absent from our system are super-Earths or sub-Neptunes, which are common in other star systems. Despite thousands of exoplanet discoveries, Earth-like planets orbiting sun-like stars, and potential extraterrestrial life remain elusive.
“Our solar system is strange due to what we have and what we lack,” states Sean Raymond from the University of Bordeaux, France. “It’s still uncertain whether we are simply rare at the 1% level or genuinely unique at the 1 in a million level.”
These revelations prompt intriguing inquiries about the formation of our solar system. Questions remain, such as why Jupiter is located farther from the Sun—rather than closer, as seen in many planetary systems. Unusual orbits of exoplanets have made astronomers reconsider our system’s history. The Nice model, proposed in 2001, suggests a major reconfiguration post-formation, moving Jupiter to the outskirts while redirecting asteroids and moons into new trajectories.
“The understanding that such a shift could occur stemmed directly from exoplanet research,” Raymond notes. “Approximately 90% of large exoplanetary systems exhibit instability. This insight prompts speculation about possible historical fluctuations within our solar system.”
Recent high-resolution findings from ESA’s Solar Orbiter mission provide groundbreaking insights into solar flares. These explosive events are triggered by cascading magnetic reconnection processes, releasing immense energy and “raining down” plasma clumps into the Sun’s atmosphere.
Detailed overview of M-class solar flares as observed by ESA’s solar probes. Image credit: ESA / Solar Orbiter / Chitta et al., doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202557253.
Solar flares are powerful explosions originating from the Sun.
These dramatic events occur when energy stored in entangled magnetic fields is suddenly unleashed through a process known as “magnetic reconnection.”
In mere minutes, intersecting magnetic field lines disconnect and reconnect, leading to a rapid rise in temperature and accelerating millions of degrees of plasma and high-energy particles, potentially resulting in solar flares.
The most intense flares can initiate a cascade of reactions, causing magnetic storms on Earth and potentially disrupting radio communications. Hence, monitoring and understanding these flares is crucial.
However, the mechanisms behind such swift energy release remain largely enigmatic.
An exceptional series of observations from the Solar Orbiter’s four instruments has finally provided clarity. This mission, with its comprehensive approach, offers the most detailed perspective on solar flares to date.
The Solar Orbiter’s Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI) captured high-resolution images of features just hundreds of kilometers across in the Sun’s outer atmosphere (corona), recording changes every two seconds.
Three other instruments—SPICE, STIX, and PHI—examined various depth and temperature regions, from the corona to the Sun’s visible surface, or photosphere.
“We were fortunate to witness this massive flare precursor in such exquisite detail,” said Dr. Pradeep Chitta, an astronomer at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research.
“Such detailed and frequent observations of flares are rarely possible due to the limited observation window and the significant data storage required.”
“We were in the right place at the right time to capture these intricate details of the flare.”
Solar Orbiter observations have revealed an intricate view of the central engine during the preflare and shock stages of a solar flare as a magnetic avalanche.
“Even prior to the major flare event, ribbon-like features rapidly traversed the Sun’s atmosphere,” Dr. Chitta noted.
“The flow of these ‘rainy plasma blobs’ indicates increasing energy buildup, intensifying as the flare progresses.”
“This rain of plasma will continue for a while even after the flare diminishes.”
“This marks the first time we’ve observed such a level of spatial and temporal detail in the solar corona.”
“We did not anticipate such high-energy particles emerging from the avalanche process.”
“There is still much to explore regarding this phenomenon, but future missions equipped with high-resolution X-ray imaging will further our understanding.”
“This is one of Solar Orbiter’s most thrilling achievements thus far,” stated Dr. Miho Jamby, ESA’s Solar Orbiter Collaborative Project Scientist.
“The Solar Orbiter’s observations unveil the flare’s central engine and underscore the significant role of an avalanche-like magnetic energy release mechanism.”
There is a compelling prospect of whether this mechanism is universal across all flares and in other flaring stars.
Results can be found in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.
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LP Citta et al. 2026. Magnetic avalanches as the central engine driving solar flares. A&A 705, A113; doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202557253
Uranus’ New Moon S/2025 U1 Discovered by James Webb Space Telescope
Credit: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI/M. El Moutamid (SwRI)/M. Hedman (University of Idaho)
This year, astronomers have discovered over 100 previously unknown moons in our solar system. With many more potentially awaiting discovery, cataloging these moons could enhance our understanding of planet formation.
In March, Edward Ashton and his team at Taiwan’s Academia Sinica discovered 128 new moons around Saturn, raising the planet’s total to 274. The researchers utilized hours of images taken by the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, stacking them to reveal dark objects previously undetectable.
Ashton’s team now holds the rights to name the newly discovered moons; however, due to the sheer number, many of Saturn’s moons lack unofficial names.
In August, a small, faint moon was identified in orbit around Uranus, increasing its total to 29. Mariam El Moutamid and researchers from the Southwest Research Institute in Colorado made this discovery using 10 long-exposure infrared images captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.
The team has not disclosed potential names for the new moon, which is currently known by its tentative designation, S/2025 U1. Eventually, it will be named after characters from Shakespeare’s plays, following the tradition established in 1787 when Earth’s first two moons, Titania and Oberon, were discovered.
Nigel Mason from the University of Kent indicates that more moons are likely to be discovered in the solar system, particularly around Neptune and Uranus, but he believes that the largest have already been mapped.
“Everyone enjoys finding a new moon and contemplating what to name it,” says Mason. “It’s an exhilarating moment—it’s a legacy.”
The ongoing cataloging and measurement of nearby satellites will help scientists learn more about their formation, allowing us to update existing models of planet formation.
“Why are there so many? What caused it? How do you create 40, 50, or 60 moons of varying shapes and sizes?” Mason notes. “That’s what makes them fascinating. It’s truly astounding, revealing that our understanding of the entire planet formation process is not as solid as we once believed.”
Scientists utilized the WISPR (Wide Field Imager for Solar Exploration) instrument on NASA’s Parker Solar Probe to capture stunning images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS between October 18 and November 5, 2025.
WISPR captures the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. Image credit: NRL / NASA / JHUAPL / Guillermo Stenborg, JHUAPL.
Discovered on July 1, 2025, by the NASA-funded ATLAS survey telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile, 3I/ATLAS, also known as C/2025 N1 (ATLAS) and A11pl3Z, originated from the constellation Sagittarius.
This remarkable interstellar comet approached Mars on October 3 at a distance of just 0.194 AU and reached its perihelion, the closest point to the Sun, on October 30.
On December 19, 3I/ATLAS made its nearest pass to Earth, coming within 270 million kilometers (168 million miles) of our planet.
The spectacular images of 3I/ATLAS were obtained by the WISPR instrument aboard NASA’s Parker Solar Probe during a critical observation window from October 18 to November 5.
“The Parker Solar Probe captured around 10 images of the comet daily,” stated WISPR team members.
“During this observation period, the spacecraft accelerated away from the Sun following its 25th solar flyby on September 15.”
“These initial images are currently undergoing calibration and processing, revealing the comet’s movement behind the Sun from Parker’s vantage point.”
“At that time, the comet was located about 209 million kilometers (130 million miles) from the Sun, just beyond Mars’ orbit.”
“These images offer a rare opportunity to study the comet when it was too close to the Sun for ground-based observations.”
The WISPR team is diligently working to finalize the data by eliminating stray light and adjusting for varying exposure times between images, enhancing the comet’s visibility.
“The final images will significantly advance our understanding of this intriguing interstellar visitor,” researchers concluded.
SNR 0519, the remnants of a supernova that erupted around 600 years ago
Claude Coenen/ESA/Hubble & NASA
Our planet may owe some of its characteristics to a neighboring star that met its end as a supernova during the formation period of the solar system. This notion of a supernova bubble enveloping the sun and inundating it with cosmic rays might be a common phenomenon across the galaxy, implying that there could be many more Earth-like planets than we ever imagined.
Thanks to ancient data, we understand from a meteorite sample that the early solar system was rich in radioactive materials that generated significant heat and quickly decayed. The heat produced by these elements was crucial for releasing substantial amounts of water from the colliding space rocks and comets that coalesced to form Earth, ensuring there was enough water for life to eventually thrive.
However, the origin of these elements remains a mystery. While many are commonly produced in supernovae, simulations of nearby supernovae have faced challenges in replicating the exact ratios of radioactive elements observed in meteorite specimens from the early Solar System. A significant issue is that these explosive events were incredibly forceful and might have obliterated the delicate early solar system before planetary formation could take place.
Recently, Ryo Sawada and fellow researchers at the University of Tokyo have discovered that if a supernova occurs at an adequate distance, it could supply Earth with the necessary radioactive components without interfering with the planet-forming process.
In their theoretical framework, a supernova located approximately three light-years from our solar system could initiate a two-step process to generate the essential radioactive elements. Certain radioactive substances, like aluminum and manganese, are directly created during supernova explosions and might reach the solar system propelled by shock waves from the explosion.
Subsequently, the high-energy particles known as cosmic rays released by the supernova travel along these shock waves, colliding with other atoms in the gaseous, dusty, and rocky disk still in its formative phase, birthing the remaining radioactive elements such as beryllium and calcium. “We realized that prior models of solar system formation primarily concentrated on the injection of matter, neglecting the role of high-energy particles,” stated Sawada. “We contemplated, ‘What if our nascent solar system was simply engulfed in this particle bath?'”
Due to the occurrence of this process in more distant supernovae than previously explored, Sawada and his team estimate that between 10 and 50 percent of Sun-like stars and planetary systems might have been enriched with radioactive elements in this manner, leading to the formation of water-abundant planets that resemble Earth. Earlier theories posited that the proximity of the supernova would have made such an event exceedingly rare, akin to “winning the lottery,” as Sawada described. The fact that the supernova is further positioned indicates that “Earth’s creation is probably not an unusual occurrence, but a widespread phenomenon that transpires throughout the galaxy,” he adds.
“This is exceedingly clever because it strikes a harmonious balance between destruction and creation,” remarks Cosimo Insera from Cardiff University in the UK. “The right elements and the correct distance are essential.”
If this theory holds true, Inserra mentioned that upcoming telescopes like NASA’s Habitable World Observatory could significantly aid in the search for Earth-like planets by identifying remnants of ancient supernovae and locating systems that were within proximity to supernovae during their formation stages.
Comet 3I/ATLAS is the third known visitor from beyond our solar system
International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/Shadow the Scientist; J. Miller & M. Rodriguez (International Gemini Observatory/NSF NOIRLab), T.A. Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage/NSF NOIRLab), M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab)
The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS releases carbon-rich compounds at a higher rate than most comets in the solar system, including methanol. This compound plays a crucial role in prebiotic chemistry and is not commonly found in other interstellar objects.
Having made only three known visits to our solar system, 3I/ATLAS stands apart from comets found in our galactic neighborhood. While approaching the Sun, it developed a crust of water vapor and gas, containing significantly more carbon dioxide than typically found in Solar System comets. Additionally, the comet’s light appeared unusually red, hinting at atypical surface chemistry, and it began emitting gas well before reaching the Sun. This could indicate that it has not approached another star in hundreds of millions of years, or possibly since leaving its home system.
Recently, Martin Cordiner and a team using the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile discovered that 3I/ATLAS generates significant amounts of hydrogen cyanide gas, as well as even larger quantities of gaseous methanol. “Hydrogen cyanide and methanol are usually found in trace amounts and aren’t dominant components in our comets,” explained Cordiner. “However, they appear to be notably abundant in this alien comet.”
Cordiner’s research team observed that the hydrogen cyanide comes from near the comet’s core, producing around a quarter to half a kilogram per second. Methanol was also found in the core, indicating large quantities are produced even within the comet’s coma, which is the extensive trail of dust and gas extending miles away from the comet itself.
Methanol is emitted at approximately 40 kilograms per second, significantly more than hydrogen cyanide, which represents about 8 percent of the total vapor released (compared to roughly 2 percent from typical solar system comets). The different locations of these two molecules suggest that the comet’s core may not be uniform, which could provide insights into how comets are formed, according to Cordiner.
Cordiner noted that, while methanol is a relatively straightforward carbon-based compound, it plays an essential role in forming more complex molecules critical for life. Its production appears to be high when chemical reactions producing these larger molecules occur. “Chemically, it seems unlikely that we can progress toward highly complex substances without generating methanol,” Cordiner said.
Josep Trigo-Rodriguez and colleagues from Spain’s Institute of Space Sciences suggested that comets with substantial iron and metals are likely to produce considerable methanol as well. The presence of liquid water heated by the Sun could permeate the comet’s core and engage in chemical reactions with its iron, resulting in methanol production. Thus, discovering methanol in the coma might indicate a metal-rich composition of the comet, he adds.
NASA’s STEREO (Solar-Earth Relations Observatory), the NASA/ESA SOHO (Solar-Heliospheric Observatory), and NASA’s PUNCH (Corona-Heliosphere Integrating Polarimeter) missions had the extraordinary capability to observe sky regions near the Sun, enabling them to monitor 3I/ATLAS as it traversed behind the Sun from Earth’s perspective.
3I/ATLAS moves at an incredible speed of 209,000 km (130,000 miles) per hour, visualized through a series of colorized stacked images captured from September 11 to 25, 2025, using the Heliocentric Imager-1 instrument aboard NASA’s STEREO-A spacecraft. Image credit: NASA / Lowell Observatory / Qicheng Zhang.
STEREO monitored the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS between September 11 and October 2, 2025.
The mission aims to examine solar activity and its effects on the entire solar system and is part of a collection of NASA spacecraft studying comets, offering insights on their size, physical characteristics, and chemical makeup.
Initially, it was believed that comet 3I/ATLAS would be too dim for STEREO’s instruments, but advanced image processing using the visible-light telescope Heliospheric Imager-1 and the stacking of images revealed 3I/ATLAS effectively.
By overlaying multiple exposures, distinct images were produced, showing the comet slightly brighter at the center.
This image of 3I/ATLAS combines observations from the NASA/ESA SOHO mission between October 15 and 26, 2025. Image credit: NASA / ESA / Lowell Observatory / Qicheng Zhang.
The SOHO spacecraft managed to catch a glimpse of 3I/ATLAS from October 15 to 26, 2025.
During this time frame, the LASCO instrument suite onboard SOHO identified comets crossing its observation area from around 358 million km (222 million miles) away, which is more than twice Earth’s distance from the Sun.
SOHO orbits at Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1, a gravitational equilibrium point approximately 1.6 million km (1 million miles) closer to the Sun along the Sun-Earth axis.
Members of the SOHO team also utilized stacking techniques to create images of 3I/ATLAS.
In this image, 3I/ATLAS is clearly visible as a bright object in the center, created by consolidating observations from NASA’s PUNCH mission conducted from September 20 to October 3, 2025. Image credit: NASA/Southwest Research Institute.
The PUNCH mission observed 3I/ATLAS from September 20 to October 3, 2025.
These observations indicated that the comet’s tail extended slightly to the lower right.
During this period, the comet was so dim that the PUNCH team was uncertain if the spacecraft would be able to detect it well, given its primary focus on studying the Sun’s atmosphere and solar wind rather than comets.
However, by collecting multiple observations, 3I/ATLAS and its tail became distinctly visible.
“We’re truly pushing the limits of this system,” stated Dr. Kevin Walsh, a planetary scientist at the Southwest Research Institute who led the PUNCH observations of comets.
The Moon was created through a massive collision between the proto-Earth and the ancient protoplanet Theia. A recent study by a collaborative team of scientists from the United States, Germany, France, and China analyzed iron isotopes in lunar samples, Earth rocks, and meteorites believed to represent the isotope reservoir from which both Theia and early Earth may have formed. Their findings indicate that Theia and most of Earth’s constituent materials originated from the inner solar system, suggesting that Theia formed closer to the sun than Earth.
Artist’s impression of the collision between proto-Earth and Theia. Image credit: MPS/Mark A. Garlick.
“The composition of the body reflects its entire formation history, including its origin,” said Dr. Torsten Kleine, lead author of the study from the Sonnensystemforschung Institute at the Max Planck Institute.
“The ratio of specific metal isotopes within the body is particularly insightful.”
“Isotopes are different versions of the same element, varying only in neutron count in the atomic nucleus, which affects their weight.”
“In the early solar system, the distribution of isotopes was likely not uniform. For instance, at the solar system’s outer edges, isotopes existed in proportions that differed from those found near the Sun.”
“Thus, the isotopic makeup of a body holds clues about the origins of its components.”
The authors measured iron isotopes in Earth and Moon rocks with exceptional accuracy in this study.
The research involved 15 terrestrial rocks and six lunar samples collected by Apollo astronauts.
This outcome aligns with earlier findings, indicating that the Earth and the Moon are indistinguishable in terms of isotope ratios for chromium, calcium, titanium, and zirconium.
However, direct conclusions about Theia are elusive due to their similarities.
The multiplicity of potential collision scenarios also complicates matters.
While most models suggest that the Moon is largely composed of Theia material, it’s also plausible that it consists primarily of early Earth’s mantle material, or a mix of both Earth and Theia rocks.
To explore Theia’s characteristics, researchers employed a method akin to reverse engineering.
They analyzed the isotope ratios of contemporary Earth and Moon rocks to infer the size and composition of Theia, as well as the early Earth composition that resulted in the current state.
The study examined not only iron isotopes but also those of chromium, molybdenum, and zirconium.
Different elements provide insights into various phases of planetary formation.
Before the catastrophic collision with Theia, a sorting process was occurring within the early Earth.
As the iron core formed, elements like iron and molybdenum were sequestered there, almost completely removing them from the rocky mantle.
Thus, the iron found in Earth’s mantle today may have arrived post-core formation, potentially aboard Theia.
Other elements, like zirconium, which did not sink into the core, encapsulate the entire history of Earth’s formation.
Some mathematically feasible compositions of Theia and early Earth can be dismissed as unlikely.
“The most credible scenario suggests that the majority of components in Earth and Theia originated from the inner solar system,” stated Dr. Timo Hopp, a researcher at the University of Chicago and the Max Planck Institute.
“Earth and Theia were likely neighbors.”
“While the early Earth’s composition can be explained primarily through known meteorite mixtures, the same does not hold for Theia.”
“Distinct classes of meteorites formed in various regions of the outer solar system.”
“These provide a reference for the materials accessible during the early formation of Earth and Theia.”
“However, Theia’s composition may also include previously unidentified substances.”
“We hypothesize that this material originated closer to the Sun than to Earth.”
“Thus, our calculations imply that Theia was formed nearer to the sun compared to our planet.”
of result Published in this week’s Science magazine.
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Timo Hopp et al.. 2025. Theia, the impactor that formed the Moon, originated from within the solar system. Science 390 (6775): 819-823;doi: 10.1126/science.ado0623
Thanks to data gathered by the Color Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) on board ESA’s Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) spacecraft orbiting Mars, scientists have enhanced the predicted location of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS by a factor of 10.
This image of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS was captured on October 3, 2025, by the CaSSIS instrument aboard ESA’s Trace Gas Orbiter. Image credit: ESA/TGO/CaSSIS.
3I/ATLAS was discovered on July 1, 2025, by the NASA-funded ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial Impact Last Alert System) telescope located in Rio Hurtado, Chile.
Prior to September, researchers depended on Earth-based telescopes to track the positions and orbits of interstellar comets.
From October 1 to 7, TGO concentrated on 3I/ATLAS from its orbit around Mars.
The comet came relatively close to Mars, achieving a distance of roughly 29 million km at its closest approach on October 3.
The Mars rover observed 3I/ATLAS from approximately 10 times closer than Earth telescopes and from a fresh vantage point.
By triangulating data from TGO/CaSSIS and Earth-based observations, scientists significantly improved the accuracy of the comet’s predicted trajectory.
Initial expectations were for a modest improvement, but the findings revealed an impressive tenfold increase in precision.
“Utilizing data from the Mars rover made it challenging to refine the interstellar comet’s path through space,” stated TGO team members.
“The CaSSIS instrument is crafted to provide high-resolution observations of the nearby Martian surface.”
“This time, the camera was directed high above Mars, capturing the minute, distant 3I/ATLAS streaking across the star-filled sky.”
Planetary Defense Team Astronomer from ESA’s Near Earth Object Coordination Center was already adept at determining asteroid and comet orbits, necessitating consideration of the spacecraft’s unique position.
“Generally, orbital observations are conducted from fixed terrestrial observatories, but occasionally from spacecraft in near-Earth orbit, such as the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope or the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope,” the researchers noted.
“Astronomers excel at factoring in the positions of celestial bodies to ascertain their future positions, known as ephemerides.”
“In this instance, the accuracy of the 3I/ATLAS ephemeris—especially its predictions—relied on accounting for the precise location of TGO, including Mars and its rapid orbit around it.”
“Achieving this required a collaborative effort from various ESA teams and partners, ranging from flight mechanics to science and instrumentation.”
To attain the highest possible accuracy, we needed to address challenges and nuances typically overlooked and minimize margins as much as we could.
The Kuiper Belt, the outer disk of icy rock in our solar system, has been found to exhibit more intricate structure than previously understood. In 2011, researchers unveiled a cluster of objects with similar orbits, referred to as the Kuiper Belt’s “kernel.” Recently, another group has identified an even more tightly groupedset of objects, termed the “inner kernel.”
The original kernel was identified through visual analysis of the orbits of 189 Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs). This cluster is positioned roughly 44 astronomical units from the Sun, with one astronomical unit representing the distance between the Sun and Earth. Since the kernel’s discovery, no additional structures in the Kuiper Belt have been found.
That is, until Amir Shirazi and his team at Princeton University undertook the meticulous effort of refining orbital data from 1,650 KBOs. They utilized clustering and structure-searching algorithms to analyze this data. By training the algorithm to identify kernels, they discovered that whenever the algorithm pinpointed a kernel, it also uncovered another grouping, as noted by Siraj.
The newly identified star cluster has been dubbed the Inner Kernel, located at approximately 43 astronomical units from the Sun. Objects within this cluster exhibit highly circular orbits that align almost perfectly with the solar system’s disk.
“Such orbital stability indicates ancient, undisturbed structures. These formations can unravel mysteries regarding the solar system’s evolution, the movement of giant planets, and the environments it encountered during its early history,” Siraj explained.
Understanding how Neptune migrated from the inner solar system, where it is believed to have originated, to its present position could be particularly revealing, according to David Nesvorny, one of the original discoverers of the kernel at the Southwest Research Institute in Colorado. Nesvorny suggests that as Neptune migrates outward, the kernels, along with the KBOs forming the Inner Kernel, may have been temporarily stabilized through gravitational interactions with the giant planet, creating the aggregation seen today, before being released as Neptune continues its trajectory.
Chile’s Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which commenced operations this year, is anticipated to unveil even more KBOs, enhancing our understanding of both the core and the inner core, and potentially revealing undiscovered structures at the solar system’s periphery. “The deeper we delve into the structure of the Kuiper Belt, the more we uncover about the solar system’s history,” Siraj stated.
In order to understand the motion of the solar system, astrophysicist Lukas Böhme and his team at Bielefeld University examined the arrangement of radio galaxies.
An artist’s representation of the solar system. Image credit: NASA/JPL.
“Our findings indicate that the solar system is moving over three times faster than existing models suggest,” stated Dr. Böhme, the study’s lead author.
“This outcome starkly opposes expectations grounded in standard cosmology and compels us to re-evaluate our previous beliefs.”
In their research, the authors studied the distribution of radio galaxies, which are distant galaxies emitting exceptionally strong radio waves, a type of electromagnetic radiation with long wavelengths similar to those used in radio transmissions.
Radio waves are capable of penetrating dust and gas that block visible light, enabling radio telescopes to detect galaxies that are hidden from optical instruments.
As the solar system traverses space, its movement generates subtle “headwinds.” Consequently, the number of radio galaxies appearing in its path will be marginally increased.
These variations are slight and can only be discerned through extremely sensitive measurements.
Utilizing data from the LOFAR (Low Frequency Array) telescope along with two additional radio observatories, astronomers successfully counted these radio galaxies with remarkable accuracy for the first time.
They employed a novel statistical method to address the complexity posed by the fact that many radio galaxies consist of multiple components.
This enhanced analysis improved the realism of the measurements, albeit with increased uncertainties.
Nonetheless, the combination of data from all three radio telescopes unveiled deviations exceeding 5 sigma, a statistically significant signal that suggests an important scientific finding.
The measurements indicated that the anisotropy (dipole) in the distribution of radio galaxies is 3.7 times more robust than the predictions of the Standard Model of the Universe.
This model outlines the universe’s origin and evolution since the Big Bang, assuming a nearly uniform matter distribution.
“If the solar system is indeed moving at this velocity, we must question fundamental notions about the large-scale structure of the universe,” commented study co-author Professor Dominic Schwartz from Bielefeld University.
“Alternatively, the spatial distribution of radio galaxies themselves may not be as uniform as previously thought.”
“In any event, our current model is undergoing scrutiny.”
The new findings align with prior observations when astronomers investigated quasars, the very bright centers of distant galaxies featuring supermassive black holes that consume matter and release vast energy.
This same anomalous effect is present in infrared data, indicating that it is a genuine characteristic of the universe rather than a measurement anomaly.
This research underscores how innovative observational techniques can fundamentally alter our understanding of the universe and highlights the vast areas still awaiting discovery.
For more details, view the study published in this month’s issue of Physical Review Letters.
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Lucas Boehme et al. 2025. Number of overdispersed radio sources and detection of excessive radio dipoles. Physical Review Letters 135, 201001; doi: 10.1103/6z32-3zf4
A supermassive black hole has violently consumed a massive star, resulting in a cosmic explosion that shone as brightly as 10 trillion suns, according to a recent study.
This event, referred to as a black hole flare, is believed to be the largest and most remote ever detected.
“This is genuinely a one-in-a-million occurrence,” stated Matthew Graham, a research professor of astronomy at the California Institute of Technology and the lead author of the study published Tuesday in Nature Astronomy.
Graham indicated that based on the explosion’s intensity and duration, a black hole flare is likely the explanation, but further studies will be necessary to validate this conclusion.
While it is common for black holes to devour nearby stars, gas, dust, and other materials, such significant flare events are exceptionally rare, according to Graham.
“This enormous flare is far more energetic than anything we’ve encountered previously,” he remarked, noting that the explosion’s peak luminosity was 30 times that of any black hole flare documented so far.
Its extreme intensity is partly due to the massive size of the celestial objects involved. The star that came too close to the black hole is estimated to possess at least 30 times the mass of the Sun, while the supermassive black hole and its surrounding matter disk are estimated to be 500 million times more massive than the Sun.
Graham mentioned that these powerful explosions have persisted for more than seven years and are likely still ongoing.
The flare was initially detected in 2018 during a comprehensive sky survey using three ground-based telescopes. At the time, it was identified as a “particularly bright object,” but follow-up observations months later yielded little valuable data.
Consequently, black hole flares were mostly overlooked until 2023, when Graham and his team opted to revisit some intriguing findings from their earlier research. Astronomers have since managed to roughly ascertain the distance to this exceptionally bright object, and the results were astonishing.
“Suddenly, I thought, ‘Wow, this is actually quite far away,'” Graham explained. “And if it’s this far away and this bright, how much energy is it emitting? This is both unusual and intriguing.”
While the exact circumstances of the star’s demise remain unclear, Graham hypothesized that a cosmic collision might have nudged the star from its typical orbit around the black hole, leading to a close encounter.
This finding enhances our understanding of black hole behavior and evolution.
“Our perspective on supermassive black holes and their environments has dramatically transformed over the past five to ten years,” Graham stated. “We once pictured most galaxies in the universe with a supermassive black hole at the center, idly rumbling away. We now recognize it as a much more dynamic setting, and we are just beginning to explore its complexities.”
He noted that while the flares are gradually diminishing over time, they will remain detectable with ground-based telescopes for several more years.
The proliferation of satellites in orbit is accelerating rapidly, yet their vulnerability to solar storms remains poorly understood. This issue is expected to intensify.
Since May 2019, SpaceX has deployed over 10,000 satellites as part of its Starlink internet megaconstellation, with approximately 1,000 currently re-entering Earth’s atmosphere at a rate of one or two daily. These satellites form a vast network surrounding the Earth, which suggests that solar and related geomagnetic storms could impact at least some satellites at any given time.
To assess the implications of these storms on Starlink, Kang Eun Joo and researchers at the University of California, Irvine, analyzed publicly available satellite tracking data collected during the solar storm of May 2024.
The findings indicated that during the storm’s peak, Starlink satellites on the sun-facing side experienced an altitude reduction of up to half a kilometer. While this drop is minor compared to their 550-kilometer orbit, it is significant because solar radiation can generate atmospheric drag on the satellites.
Satellites in other locations, particularly those near the Earth’s poles where the magnetic field attracts more solar particles, and those over the South Atlantic Anomaly, where the magnetic field has weakened, also experienced substantial effects.
According to the data reviewed by the research team, an unusual phenomenon occurred among the constellations. “When one satellite descends, neighboring satellites must adjust accordingly,” Kang explained, utilizing onboard ion thrusters to recalibrate the affected satellites. This is necessary since the satellites communicate via line-of-sight lasers to maintain the network, which creates a cascading effect as adjacent satellites follow suit. “It’s like a wave,” remarked Sangeeta Abdu Jyoti, another researcher at UC Irvine.
This could lead to challenges for other satellites maneuvering around the Starlink constellation to prevent collisions. “Unpredictable paths heighten collision risks,” Abdu Jyoti cautioned.
Additional publicly accessible data also reveals the repercussions of solar storms. Some Starlink users utilize an online service called RIPE Atlas to monitor their connection status. By analyzing this information, Kang and her team noted that satellites experienced disruptions and reported network outages during the May 2024 storm. “Packet loss surged immediately,” Kang stated, resulting in data failing to reach its intended targets.
This study emphasizes the challenges faced by satellite constellations such as Starlink, as well as those in development like Amazon’s Project Kuiper and various projects in China, due to solar activity jeopardizing communication and potentially leading to drastic positional changes that could result in collisions with other satellites.
In February 2022, a significant solar storm caused 40 newly launched Starlink satellites to return to the atmosphere, where they incinerated. Recent studies have also indicated that heightened solar activity is accelerating the decline of certain Starlink satellites.
The May 2024 solar storm was roughly three times weaker than the Carrington event of 1859—the strongest solar storm on record. Such records are likely to be repeated, potentially creating significant challenges for satellite operators. “If an exceptionally strong storm occurs, the situation will worsen,” Abdu Jyoti said. “But the extent of that worsening remains uncertain.”
For now, I hope to have adequate preparation time. The May 2024 storm happened at the peak of the sun’s 22-year activity cycle. A powerful storm could strike at any moment, with a higher likelihood expected in the 2040s when solar activity intensifies again. By that time, it’s anticipated that tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, more satellites will be in orbit compared to the current approximate count of 13,000. “The more satellites you have, the greater the issue,” stated Scott Shambaugh, founder of Leonid Space, a US company tracking the impact of space weather on satellites.
“Currently, we lack reliable predictive models to assess how solar storms impact drag over short timescales,” Shambaugh explained. “Consequently, satellites may not be where anticipated for hours or days following a storm.”
Matthew Owens identified another area needing further understanding: substorms—minor fluctuations in the atmosphere caused by solar heating that disproportionately affect satellites in varied orbits, according to researchers from Britain’s University of Reading. “Geomagnetic storms consist of numerous substorms,” he noted, “but these are extraordinarily challenging to forecast.”
Satellite constellations like Starlink provide a unique perspective on this activity, effectively serving as a massive research network in orbit around Earth. “These satellites may very well be our first data probes for analyzing local variations in atmospheric drag,” Abdu Jyoti concluded.
Can solar energy dominate the global power landscape? Recently, the rate of solar power installation has increased dramatically, with capacity doubling between 2022 and 2024, now providing 7% of global electricity. What are the future projections?
In the first half of 2025, solar and wind energy reached historic milestones by surpassing coal in electricity generation for the first time, making renewables the leading electricity source worldwide. According to the UK-based think tank Ember, solar power has been the primary contributor to this pivotal shift in the energy landscape, accounting for 83% of the surge in global electricity demand this year. Ember’s analysis shows that solar has been the largest new power source for three consecutive years.
What’s the advantage of solar? Its affordability! Installation costs for solar systems have plummeted by 90% over the past 15 years, making solar energy the most economical electricity source globally. “Currently, silicon panels are on par with the cost of plywood,” remarks Sam Stranks, from Cambridge University.
This translates to abundant, cost-effective energy solutions that can be implemented almost anywhere. Is it unrealistic to envision a future where solar energy powers everything?
On a fundamental level, Earth receives almost limitless solar energy. Even with current panel efficiencies, roughly 450,000 square kilometers would be needed to meet the entire world’s energy demands using solar power, as estimated by a 2021 report from the British think tank “Carbon Tracker.” This represents just 0.3% of global land area.
Kingsmill Bond, one of the report’s authors now working with Ember, noted that while land usage trade-offs exist—like competition with agriculture—”there’s ample space for most nations to adopt these technologies.”
Next-Gen Solar Panels
The question is, what hinders solar energy from fully dominating the global electricity market? Efficiency is the foremost challenge. Photovoltaic panels primarily made of silicon convert about 20% of solar energy into electricity. In contrast, hydroelectric power plants convert 90%, wind turbines around 50%, and fossil fuel plants 30-40%.
This disparity necessitates more solar panels to equate to the output of other energy sources. Therefore, companies and researchers are eager to enhance solar panel efficiency, hoping the improvements will concurrently reduce costs and land requirements.
However, crystalline silicon panels are approaching efficiency limits, with top-tier cells currently achieving around 25% efficiency. “The practical ceiling for crystalline silicon is likely around 28%,” explains Jenny Nelson from Imperial College London.
Further efficiency improvements may require a transition to tandem solar cells, which utilize an additional semiconductor to better harness the solar spectrum. Tandem silicon perovskite cells are considered the most promising, with a theoretical efficiency limit near 50%. Although real-world tandem panels haven’t reached that potential, Stranks anticipates efficiencies between 35% and 37%.
The first tandem silicon perovskite solar panels have commenced commercial production. They are now undergoing industry tests to assess their real-world operational longevity. Stranks is optimistic, projecting they will become the market’s leading technology in a decade. “On the surface, they appear similar to current panels, but they generate 50% more power,” he states. “That’s a significant advancement.”
Efficiency enhancements could not only cut costs further but also foster new application opportunities, such as solar roofs on electric vehicles that can charge batteries during the day. This stored energy could then be utilized for transportation or domestic use after sunset, he adds.
Solving Storage Issues
Innovations like these could mitigate one of solar power’s primary challenges: variability. The sun isn’t always shining, which poses less of an issue in Sunbelt countries like India, Mexico, and parts of Africa, where sunlight is almost year-round, enabling surplus energy during the day to be stored for nighttime use. This solar and storage model is becoming more affordable, with lithium-ion battery costs declining 40% in the past two years, according to BloombergNEF.
“Ultimately, fossil fuels’ only edge over solar is their storage capabilities,” Bond points out. “However, this issue is mostly resolved through advancements in battery technology.”
In northern regions, where winter days are short and overcast, the scenario is different. “[Solar] serves as an incredibly effective energy source, producing zero pollution with a rapid energy investment return. It ticks all the right boxes,” comments Andrew Blakers from the Australian National University. “Unless you reside in northern Europe, northeast Asia, or the northeastern United States—where you have abundant summer sun but limited winter light—[solar] is distinctly superior.”
For areas experiencing long winter nights, wind energy can bridge the gap, but we must also develop energy storage solutions capable of holding power for extended periods. Such “seasonal storage” technology is still emerging, with only a few solutions at commercial scales. However, methods like pumped water, hydrogen, and compressed air storage show promise. “In the short term, batteries will suffice for now, while pumped hydro storage will take over in the long run,” predicts Blakers.
Political Challenges
If anything, enhancing efficiency and storage represents low-hanging fruit. “The bottlenecks are likely political, with inconsistencies in policy, regulatory challenges, and vested interests from other industries,” says Nelson.
The Trump administration in the U.S., known for its climate change skepticism, epitomizes this issue. Recently, federal authorities halted a massive solar project in Nevada that was set to be the world’s largest, continuing a trend of reducing solar funding and obstructing initiatives.
Yet, Bond is confident the shift to renewable energy is nearly inevitable, given its economic advantages over conventional power sources. “While certain companies may slow the solar tide in specific countries or projects, the current U.S. government is inadvertently jeopardizing the nation’s position in the global race for advanced technology deployment,” he asserts.
Blakers concurs, emphasizing that solar energy might be the solution to the rapidly increasing energy demands from AI data centers. “Even in the U.S., with a determined federal approach, it’s hard to envision solar moving backward since many states favor solar, and it’s by far the most expedient method to procure substantial energy,” he notes.
Another significant obstacle for clean energy is logistics. Existing power grids will need rewiring to accommodate large and varying energy supplies from new regions. A more adaptable grid that manages generation spikes and fine-tunes electricity demand will optimize green electricity usage. However, achieving these advanced power grids will incur substantial costs. In the UK alone, energy firms plan to invest £77 billion over the next five years to upgrade the electricity grid for wind and solar integration.
In low-income countries with less developed electricity grids, there’s an opportunity to expediently establish renewable-friendly infrastructures from scratch, facilitating deeper penetration of renewables into their grid supply. Currently, the BRICS nations (Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates) together produce more than half of the world’s solar power generation, according to Ember.
The broader challenge for many nations is to electrify a larger share of their energy needs—covering heating, transportation, and more—which is crucial for decreasing fossil fuel reliance throughout the global economy. “To decarbonize our planet, electrification is a priority,” Nelson emphasizes. Low-income countries are currently leading the charge against wealthier ones, with China’s portion of electricity in final energy consumption set to hit 32% in 2023, far eclipsing the 24% electrification rate of the United States and affluent European nations, as noted by Ember.
What Lies Ahead for Solar?
Despite the year’s achievements, the technical, logistical, and political hurdles mentioned could hinder solar PV adoption in some regions in the short term. The International Energy Agency announced that renewable electricity is set to more than double by the end of 2030, yet it might not meet the target of tripling capacity by that time. The agency identified changes in U.S. policy and challenges related to grid integration as resisting factors against expanding renewable capacity.
However, energy market analysts remain optimistic that solar power will lead the global energy supply by mid-century. “By century’s end, it’s clear that all our electricity will derive from renewable sources, primarily solar,” asserts Bond, who forecasts that solar energy could account for up to 80% of the world’s electricity supply by 2100. Additionally, he expects that a minimum of 80% of the total global energy needs will be electrified.
All political, storage, and infrastructure barriers will eventually fade, paving the way for a green power revolution. “Human ingenuity drives us to convert energy into resources,” Bond concludes. “Now that we have discovered this affordable and universal energy source, it’s only a matter of time before we harness it.”
On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse interrupted the daylight cycles of North American birds as they prepared for spring breeding. Researchers at Indiana University, after analyzing over 10,000 community observations and utilizing artificial intelligence to examine nearly 100,000 bird calls, discovered that bird behavior was significantly impacted by the few minutes of unexpected afternoon darkness. More than half of the bird species altered their biological rhythms, leading many to produce dawn choruses in the aftermath of the eclipse.
Circles indicate individual observations from the SolarBird app submitted on April 8, 2024. Image courtesy of Aguilar et al., doi: 10.1126/science.adx3025.
The daily and seasonal rhythms of birds are closely regulated by variations in light and darkness.
What occurs when these cycles are abruptly disrupted, such as during a total solar eclipse?
Previous research has explored the effects of solar eclipses on animal behavior, yet many studies have only provided scattered or anecdotal insights regarding animal responses.
Indiana University researcher Liz Aguilar and her team viewed the total solar eclipse in April 2024 as a unique research opportunity, offering an unprecedented natural experiment to observe how birds react to sudden light changes.
In preparation for the solar eclipse that would cast nearly four minutes of darkness over large regions of the central and eastern United States, they developed a smartphone app called SolarBird, which allows users to document bird behaviors in real time during the eclipse.
The citizen scientists’ contributions resulted in almost 10,000 observations spanning 5,000 km along the eclipse’s path.
Simultaneously, researchers deployed autonomous recording devices across southern Indiana to capture the calls of about 100,000 birds before, during, and after the totality.
These recordings were analyzed using BirdNet, an AI system capable of identifying species calls and measuring vocal activity.
Findings revealed that 29 out of 52 species detected exhibited significant changes in their singing behavior at various points during the event, although the eclipse’s effects varied among species.
In the moments leading up to the eclipse, 11 species were found to sing more than usual as darkness approached.
During the four minutes of darkness, 12 species reacted—some becoming silent, while others increased their vocal activity.
The most notable responses were observed after the sun re-emerged, with 19 species adjusting their songs to mimic a false dawn chorus.
Notably, barred owls hooted four times more frequently than usual, while robins—renowned for their pre-dawn melodies—hooted six times more than normal.
“These patterns indicate that the solar eclipse temporarily reset the internal clocks of certain birds, causing them to act as if a new day had commenced,” the researchers stated.
Their paper was published in the October 9, 2025 edition of the journal Science.
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Liz A. Aguilar et al. 2025. Total solar eclipses trigger dawn behavior in birds: Insights from acoustic recordings and crowd science. Science 390 (6769): 152-155; doi: 10.1126/science.adx3025
A study by top climate scientists projects that by the end of this century, humanity will undertake significant measures to block sunlight as a desperate effort to safeguard Earth’s population from the escalating impacts of climate change, as reported by New Scientist.
“Solar geoengineering is a troubling concept, yet it is becoming more appealing as global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions fall short,” stated a respondent from Victoria University of Wellington, James Renwick.
According to the study, two-thirds of participants anticipate hazardous interventions will be employed to manage the atmosphere by the year 2100. Alarmingly, 52% believe these actions could be taken by irresponsible entities, including private firms, wealthy individuals, and nation-states, highlighting fears that attempts to cool the climate may proceed without comprehensive global governance to address decision-making or mitigate inherent risks.
“The potential for unintended consequences, political misuse, and abrupt climate impacts remains substantial,” a respondent remarked. Ines Camilloni of the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, noted these concerns.
New Scientist invited around 800 climate researchers, contributors to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) latest report, to participate in an anonymous online survey concerning solar geoengineering. The 120 respondents represented diverse academic fields from all continents, yielding one of the most extensive insights into the climate science community’s stance on solar geoengineering so far.
Since the 1960s, scientists have been exploring ways to enhance Earth’s albedo—the reflectivity of the planet—for a procedure known as solar geoengineering or solar radiation modification (SRM).
Cooling strategies might include the injection of particles into the upper atmosphere to reflect sunlight away from Earth, known as stratospheric aerosol injection. Another suggestion involves introducing salt particles into low-altitude ocean clouds, referred to as ocean cloud brightening (see “How does solar geoengineering operate?” below).
Solar geoengineering may involve injecting sea salt into ocean clouds.
San Francisco Chronicle/Yalonda M. James/eyevine
68% of respondents indicated that due to the global failure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the last decade, the likelihood of deploying such measures has increased. “It reflects a growing realization that we are not addressing climate change effectively,” noted Sean Fitzgerald from the Center for Climate Change Remediation at the University of Cambridge. “What options do we have? We may not prefer them, but if we disapprove of the current situation, we must consider alternatives.”
While consensus exists regarding the potential for solar geoengineering, experts disagree on the triggers for such drastic measures. Just over 20% of respondents believe these measures should be considered should global temperatures be on track to rise more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels, a scenario that is becoming increasingly likely with global warming surpassing the 1.5°C mark. Others argued that waiting for more extreme warming would be wiser, while over half felt current warming levels were insufficient to warrant serious consideration of atmospheric alteration.
Such actions could theoretically help lower global temperatures and provide time for emissions reductions, yet nearly all respondents recognized substantial risks associated with widespread implementation, including diminished motivation to cut emissions, disruption to vital agricultural rainfall patterns, and abrupt warming due to “termination shock” should these interventions cease.
The study further highlighted concerns regarding unilateral climate interventions by nations or individuals, with 81% of respondents agreeing that a new international treaty or framework is necessary to regulate all large-scale deployments, marking a significant consensus across the survey questions.
These findings reflect a cautious stance, according to Andy Parker from the Degrees Initiative. “This is a global technology. No nation can opt out of a geoengineered world. Similarly, no nation can choose to ignore a warmer world if geoengineering is rejected.”
Growing Interest in Geoengineering
New Scientist decided to undertake this research as interest in solar geoengineering grows amid escalating climate impacts. Hundreds of millions of dollars in funding are flowing into this area, with researchers presenting their findings at scientific forums, building a global research community. Earlier this year, the UK Government allocated £57 million in grants for solar geoengineering research via the Advanced Research and Inventions Agency (ARIA), supporting small-scale field experiments.
This represents a significant pivot for a field traditionally sidelined within climate science. Daniele Visioni has led numerous SRM modeling projects at Cornell University in New York. “This topic has transitioned from being loosely discussed by a small group of scholars to becoming a global issue.”
Just over one-third of the respondents from New Scientist‘s survey asserted that due to humanity’s ongoing struggle to cut emissions, they now support SRM research, albeit not necessarily its implementation. A notable 49% are in favor of conducting small-scale outdoor experiments to better understand the associated risks and benefits.
Accelerated cloud cooling could lead to drought in East Africa.
Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images
“There is growing acceptance of the necessity of SRM research,” Parker states, tying it directly to the increased pessimism surrounding climate change outcomes.
“Given that most surveyed experts believe solar radiation management is probable within the next century, we must collect comprehensive real-world data regarding the feasibility and potential impacts of these cooling strategies,” asserts Mark Symes, director of ARIA’s Climate Cooling Program.
However, support is by no means unanimous, with approximately 45% of respondents deeming this a contentious or taboo research area. A third opposed outdoor experimentation with any countermeasures, and 11% refrained from contributing to solar geoengineering studies to protect their professional reputation.
“Many of these climate scientists see that the initial vision of climate science—to heed the warnings of the Earth and reduce emissions—has failed,” according to Visioni.
Much hesitance regarding solar geoengineering stems from the multitude of potentially catastrophic risks associated with large-scale sunlight-reflecting efforts.
Almost all respondents noted that implementation might dampen motivation to reduce emissions as one of the most critical risks. Other significant threats included social and political unrest, severe disruptions to agriculture and food security, harm to delicate ecosystems, and public health crises. “Modifying the entire climate system through SRM is a considerable risk,” cautioned Shreekant Gupta at the Center for Social and Economic Progress in Delhi, India.
However, the ambiguity of “unknown consequences” emerged as the most commonly mentioned risk. One survey participant pointed out that “human efforts to rectify damaged systems have often met with limited success.”
Three primary techniques for solar geoengineering include:
1. Stratospheric aerosol injection This technique involves dispersing tiny liquid particles called aerosols from high-altitude aircraft to reflect sunlight. Over 60% of survey respondents identified this as the method most likely to be adopted.
2. Thinning of cirrus clouds This method utilizes aerosols such as nitric acid to thin cirrus clouds, permitting more heat to escape into space. However, excessive aerosol spraying can thicken clouds and produce the opposite effect. Only a minority of respondents believed this method or land-based strategies for enhancing global albedo could be pursued.
3. Brightening ocean clouds This approach involves spraying minute seawater droplets onto clouds, enhancing their brightness and increasing sunlight reflection. It was trialed in a small experiment in 2024 aimed at protecting the Great Barrier Reef. Approximately 16% of respondents felt this technique would likely be adopted.
Over 20 states have filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), contesting the agency’s decision to terminate a $7 billion initiative designed to enhance access to solar power for low-income households.
The initiative, known as “Solar For All,” was launched in 2022 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which allocated subsidies for building rooftop and community solar projects. This action was part of the Biden administration’s commitment to decreasing carbon emissions and aimed to make solar energy available to around 1 million additional American households.
However, in August, the EPA announced the program’s cancellation, with states withdrawing approximately 90% of the grant funds from the awarded accounts, according to the legal complaint.
The EPA has been working to reinstate clean energy funding sanctioned by the Biden administration. This new lawsuit will assess whether the agency overstepped its bounds in this instance. The states involved in the legal challenge had expected the funding to boost solar power availability, lower greenhouse gas emissions from energy production, and decrease energy costs.
“Congress established a solar energy program to make electricity more affordable, but the administration is ignoring the law, focusing instead on conspiracy theories about climate change,” Washington Attorney General Nick Brown stated in a news release. The EPA’s action “places about $156 million in jeopardy” for Washington state, as mentioned in the release.
Earlier this month, a coalition of nonprofit organizations and solar installers lodged a complaint, which resembles a similar lawsuit against the program’s cancellation.
When asked about the recent lawsuit, the White House referred NBC News to the EPA, which typically remains silent on ongoing litigation.
The states involved in the lawsuits are all governed by Democratic officials. Notably, Washington, Arizona, and Minnesota are leading this legal action, which was filed in the Western District of Washington.
The lawsuit contends that the EPA “illegally and unilaterally terminated” the program, breaching the Administrative Procedure Act that regulates federal agencies’ operations. It also claims that the EPA overstepped its “constitutional authority” by attempting to revoke programs and funds approved by Congress.
This latest suit is part of a dual strategy employed by states to counteract the Trump administration’s cuts to clean energy initiatives established under President Joe Biden.
On Wednesday, another group, including states and state energy agencies, filed a separate complaint in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims regarding the cancellation of individual subsidy agreements.
The lawsuit argues that the EPA’s retraction of funds violated distinct subsidy contracts with states and state energy authorities.
It further claims the EPA relied on a “false and malicious interpretation” of the One Big Beautiful Bill, which was enacted during the Trump administration, to support its actions.
While acknowledging that the law granted the administration certain powers to retract Inflation Control Act funds, the complaint asserts that this authority only extended to funds not yet distributed to grant recipients.
A third lawsuit was filed this month in Rhode Island District Court. Solar companies, homeowners, nonprofits, and labor unions are making similar claims. It contends that the EPA’s actions could deny nearly 1 million people access to affordable solar energy and jeopardize “hundreds of thousands of good-paying, high-quality jobs.”
“Today’s solar panels will inevitably reach the end of their lives and will require recycling or disposal.”
Jacques Hugo/Getty Images
By the mid-2020s, solar energy had become a major player. It emerged as the most affordable form of power generation and was also one of the fastest-growing sources of energy. The lifespan of solar panels had extended significantly, lasting around 30 to 40 years. However, eventually, these panels would need to be recycled or disposed of. By 2050, predictions indicated that there could be as much as 160 million tonnes of solar module waste. While this amount was considerably less than that produced by fossil fuel sources, it still posed a challenge.
Researchers began exploring how to create self-healing and even self-organizing solar panels.
By the mid-2030s, advancements had led to the creation of live solar panels, also known as biological solar power generation (BPV), which were deployed globally. The aesthetically pleasing, natural look of this technology made it popular, leading to the mantra of “yes, in my backyard,” and rapid adoption of living sunlight technology.
One of the first benefits was easily observed in off-grid rural areas, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where BPVs provided energy for mobile phones and computers without the need for batteries. As the technology progressed, older buildings were revamped into BPVs resembling green walls and roofs, while new structures incorporated living solar panels right from the design phase, allowing more people to become less dependent on traditional grid energy. This also helped boost local biodiversity and enhance overall happiness.
BPV operates like a fuel cell, where electrons move from the cathode to the anode, generating electricity. In biological contexts, electrons are produced by photosynthetic organisms and subsequently transferred to the anode.
Back in 2011, scientists became intrigued by the phenomenon of electrical leakage from cyanobacteria in sunlight. They discovered that by placing cyanobacteria on electrodes, they could harvest current to power small electronic devices.
However, the electrical output was weak due to insufficient electron leakage from the bacteria. Scientists like Chris Howe from Cambridge University worked on genetically modifying cyanobacteria to enhance electron leakage, allowing them to be connected to electronic devices.
In 2022, Howe’s team found that they could power computers solely using photosynthesis. Soon after, scientists made significant strides in their ability to scale up current harvesting and develop devices powered by biological energy sources worldwide.
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Members of Homo Photosyntheticus pledged to limit their electricity consumption strictly to that derived from photosynthesis. “
With the improvement in BPV technology, larger devices like mobile phones and refrigerators began operating on batteries charged by living solar cells. Electric vehicles could be charged using arrays of biological solar panels installed in garages and depots, leading to a reduced need for metals like lithium and manganese.
Remarkably, the devices continued to function in low light. At night, the cells metabolized compounds created during the day, producing a comparable amount of electrons to maintain power.
The rise of living solar technology had numerous implications. As buildings adopted a green aesthetic, urban planners started integrating more nature into streets and public areas. Even densely populated cities began to exhibit a vibrant green atmosphere, teeming with trees, plants, flowers, and wildlife.
The success of BPVs inspired a movement focused on integrating the organelles of plant cells responsible for photosynthesis. This enthusiastic group, identifying as members of Homo Photosyntheticus, drew inspiration from solar-powered sea slugs and incorporated chloroplasts sourced from plant leaves into their own biology.
Sea slugs have evolved methods to sustain and manage chloroplast functionality; however, they sometimes require additional chloroplasts. They possess a leaf-like structure that maximizes surface area, yet the energy obtained through photosynthesis only meets a small fraction of their energy requirements. For humans, without the cellular infrastructure to support chloroplast function or leaf-like shapes, this method could only yield negligible energy.
Nevertheless, for self-identified members of H. Photosyntheticus, the incorporation of chloroplasts held significant symbolic meaning. They engaged in what they referred to as “greening,” committing to utilize only electricity generated directly through photosynthesis—eschewing fossil fuels altogether! Additionally, they commonly tattooed chloroplasts on their skin as a visible testament to their dedication.
Only 0.3% of the Earth’s land area needs solar panels to fulfill all energy requirements
VCG via Getty Images
Solar energy has been gaining traction for years, and it’s easy to see why. It represents one of the most economical ways to produce energy almost anywhere and stands as a vital measure against climate change.
However, there are skeptics. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright asserts that solar energy cannot meet global energy demands. Many experts highlight that this claim is fundamentally misguided. Over time, sunlight—along with wind energy—offers the only reliable power source capable of satisfying escalating energy demands without harming the planet.
On September 2nd, Wright posted on social media platform x, stating, “Even if we covered the entire planet with solar panels, it would only generate 20% of the world’s energy. One of the greatest mistakes politicians make is equating electricity with energy!”
First and foremost, electricity is quantified based on the energy it delivers, making it practical to consider electricity as equivalent to energy.
Climate scientist Gavin Schmidt from NASA’s Goddard Space Research Institute remarked on Bluesky that the total energy content utilized by all fuels globally in 2024 was approximately 186,000 terawatt hours. He emphasized that the Earth receives 6,000 times that amount in energy each year.
Moreover, Schmidt noted that since 60% of fossil fuel energy is typically wasted in the conversion process to usable electricity, the Earth receives 18,000 times more energy than is needed to satisfy current energy consumption levels.
While existing solar panels only capture around 20% of available solar energy and can’t be installed everywhere, a 2021 report by Carbon Tracker estimated that merely 0.3% of the world’s land area (limited to land) is required to address current energy needs through solar energy alone. This footprint is smaller than that of existing fossil fuel infrastructure. In essence, the report indicates that solar and wind can provide over 100 times the current global energy demand.
We are fortunate, as the current reliance on fossil fuels is already contributing to hazardous climate change with fossil fuels alone supplying 100 times more energy than the planet can sustainably handle. But what about nuclear fusion? If it becomes a feasible option, would it surpass solar energy?
The answer is negative. Eric Chaisson from Harvard University anticipates minimal growth in global energy demand; however, the waste heat generated could potentially elevate global temperatures by 3°C within three centuries. This refers to waste heat from everyday activities like boiling a kettle or using a computer, which consumes the energy produced.
Solar energy—along with wind, tides, and waves—functions fundamentally as a source harnessed from the sun, rendering waste heat irrelevant. The energy we utilize, whether it ends up as waste heat or not, determines its practical value. In contrast, other energy sources, like nuclear fission, do not currently address waste heat management.
“[Carl] Sagan preached to me, and I now relay that message to students. Any planet must ultimately utilize the energy it possesses,” Chaisson remarked in an interview with New Scientist in 2012.
Though three centuries is a long time, the implications of waste heat are already significant. Studies indicate that maximum temperatures in Europe’s summers have increased by 0.4°C. By 2100, average annual temperatures in certain industrialized regions may rise by nearly 1°C due to waste heat—effects not currently considered in climate models.
Ultimately, the only technology that can sustainably harness solar and wind energy to meet global energy demands for centuries, without triggering catastrophic warming, is these renewable sources. The projections couldn’t be more misguided.
Following the successful testing of techniques using solar group spacecraft, it may soon be possible to forecast significant solar storms capable of disrupting Earth’s electronics by more than half a day in advance.
The Sun periodically emits powerful plasma bursts known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which create strong magnetic fields that can harm electronics on our planet. While satellites and telescopes do monitor CME indicators, their predictions depend on the magnetic field within each CME, making it challenging to identify which emissions will be hazardous.
One of the most reliable instruments for assessing these magnetic fields is found in satellites positioned in gravity-stable orbits around the Earth, known as Lagrange Points. Though these satellites are positioned hundreds of thousands of kilometers away, they exist at only about 1% of the distance to the Sun, which contributes to their ability to provide warnings about the intensity of a CME within an hour of its impact.
Now, Emma Davis from Glaz and her colleagues at Austria’s Space Meteorological Office have discovered a method utilizing the European Space Agency’s solar orbiter to issue earlier alerts. “Solar Orbiters are primarily a scientific mission and not specifically designed for this purpose,” Davis explains. “This is an added benefit from unforeseen alignments during a CME event.”
On March 17th and 23rd of this year, two sets of CMEs were heading toward Earth while the solar orbiter was positioned between our planet and the Sun. Davis and her team leveraged the spacecraft’s magnetic field and solar wind speed measurements to model the internal magnetic architecture of each CME and anticipate the severity of the geomagnetic storms they would induce. Remarkably, the entire forecasting process required less than five minutes, allowing predictions 7 and 15 hours before the events reached Earth.
Davis noted that their predictions closely aligned with the actual geomagnetic strengths observed, which she found remarkable considering the dynamic changes the CME’s magnetic fields undergo as they approach Earth. “The fortunate aspect was that not many unexpected events occurred, and these CMEs behaved rather predictably,” she adds.
She cautions that upcoming storms may not follow the same predictable patterns and that determining the exact arrival time of these storms remains challenging, with uncertainties lasting several hours.
Nevertheless, she underscores the importance of real-time measurements once a CME departs from the Sun. Chris Scott from the University of Reading, UK, who was not part of this research, noted, “It provides an early indication of the potential configuration of the magnetic fields within each eruption.”
However, data from these two events alone are insufficient for fine-tuning predictive models, and further observations are essential before establishing reliable, specialized solar storm monitoring missions near the Sun, Scott concludes.
Astronomy’s Global Capital: Chile
Explore Chile’s astronomical wonders. Visit some of the world’s leading observatories and gaze upon a star-studded sky that boasts some of the clearest views on the planet.
Astronomers have successfully captured direct images of the 4.9 Jupiter Mass Protoplanet using ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) sphere instruments, revealing clear gaps in the multi-ring protoplanetary disk. The star Whispit 2 (TYC 5709-354-1) is a solar analog, approximately 5 million years old, located 133 parsecs (434 light-years) away in the constellation Aquila.
This image taken with the ESO’s Very Large Telescope captures the first clear observation of a protoplanet within a disk featuring multiple rings. Image credit: ESO/Van Capelleveen et al.
A protoplanetary disk is typically accompanied by a ring and is a disc-shaped structure of gas and dust surrounding a young star.
These disks are the birthplaces of planets, with rings often suggesting the presence of hungry planets within the disk.
Initially, particles within the spinning disk begin to accumulate, drawing in more material from the surrounding disk until gravitational forces take hold, leading to the formation of an embryonic planet.
“Discovering Wispit 2B was an extraordinary experience. We were incredibly fortunate,” stated Dr. Richelle Van Capelleveen, an astronomer at the Leiden Observatory.
“Wispit 2, a younger version of our Sun, belongs to a small group of young stars, and we didn’t anticipate uncovering such an impressive system.”
“This system will serve as a benchmark for many years to come.”
“We’ve encountered many instances in our research,” remarked Christian Ginsky, a researcher at Galway University.
“However, in this case, we detected a remarkably unexpected and beautiful multi-ring dust disk.”
“Upon first encountering this multi-ring disk, I realized I had to attempt to detect the planets within it, immediately requesting follow-up observations.”
Astronomer captured a stunning transparent image of Whispit 2B situated in the gap of the disk, confirming that the planet orbits its host star.
“Wispit 2B marks the first clear detection of a planet on a multi-ring disk, providing an ideal setting for studying the interactions of planetary disks and their evolution,” they noted.
The Wispit 2B was observed in near-infrared light, retaining its brightness and heat from the initial formation phase.
The same is true for planets detected in visible light using the 6.5m Magellan Telescope MAGAO-X AO system and the large binocular interferometer (LBTI) Lmircam instrument.
This detection at specific wavelengths indicates that the planet is actively gathering gas as it develops its atmosphere.
“Located within the birth disk, Wispit 2B exemplifies a planet that can be utilized to explore current models of planet formation,” stated PhD student Chloe Lawler from Galway University.
The researchers estimated the radius of the disk surrounding Wispit 2B to be 380 AU (astronomical units) or about 380 times the distance between the Earth and the Sun.
“The discovery of Wispit 2B is remarkable,” commented Jake Byrne, a student pursuing an M.Sc. at Galway University.
Richelle F. Van Capelvein et al. 2025. Wide separation planet (Wispit): A gap clear planet Wispit 2 of a multi-ring disc around a young solar-shaped star. apjl 990, L8; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ADF721
Laird M. Crows et al. 2025. Wide Separate Planet (Wispit): Discovery of GAPHα Protoplanet Wispit 2B Magao-X. apjl 990, L9; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/adf7a5
Unexpectedly bright aurora illuminated the British skies in 2024
John Hayward/SWNS
If you have an interest in the Aurora Borealis, you’re in for a treat. Last year was a spectacular one, as auroras dazzled observers worldwide, even being visible far south with remarkable brightness. With a peak in solar activity, more stunning displays are anticipated, potentially leading to extreme geomagnetic storms. To grasp the phenomena behind these celestial light shows, one must look to the fiery depths of the sun.
Comprehending the sun’s workings is crucial to explaining various phenomena occurring in the Earth’s atmosphere and the solar system, not limited to auroras. Space Weather Physicist Tamitha Skov has been instrumental in enhancing our understanding of the sun’s mysterious operations through auroras and space weather forecasts on television and social media.
Skov discussed with New Scientist the reasons for the extreme auroras we’re witnessing and the increased frequency of space weather events. She noted that high-energy particles emitted by the sun present real risks to astronauts and spacecraft venturing beyond the protections of Earth’s magnetosphere. Scientists are continually searching for better prediction methods for these potential hazards. “Good sailors know to heed the weather; the same applies to space,” she remarked.
Alex Wilkins: What inspired you to study the sun and space weather?
Tamitha Skov: The sun is an incredibly captivating entity, maintaining its integrity for billions of years. However, my primary fascination comes from our connection to our planet. As a longtime admirer of Carl Sagan, I recall his words: “We are all made of star stuff,” which frames my curiosity about our origins and the elements that compose us.
Initially, I rekindled my interest in solar phenomena from a physical perspective, which shifted my focus to space weather. At that time, we were only beginning to understand that solar activity impacts Earth, making this area of research incredibly engaging. I’ve become absorbed in exploring the unseen electric and magnetic fields that influence the dynamics of the sun and the universe.
Recently, we’ve observed a rise in auroras, largely due to heightened solar activity. What’s happening with the sun?
We are experiencing a solar cycle. The sun goes through several cycles, with the dominant one being the Schwabe cycle, which lasts about eleven years. During the low phase, the sun is relatively quiet, resembling a hibernating bear before awakening to produce an array of solar activity.
This phenomenon is characterized by the sun’s magnetic field reversing. Imagine a lava lamp—when it’s off, the liquid remains still, showcasing a calm and orderly state. However, once activated, bubbles rise, creating a chaotic fusion of materials. This defines our sun’s state during its peak activity, when magnetic fields become disconnected, resulting in massive energy releases. Such instability breeds numerous solar eruptions as the sun reorganizes its magnetic field.
Tamitha Skov notes the recent surge in solar activity marks a return to normalcy
ng images/aramie
Are we witnessing a different phenomenon compared to prior solar cycles, given the auroras are now appearing much farther south?
To a degree, yes. It seems like various factors have come together to create an intriguing moment in time. After two solar cycles characterized by quiet activity and advancements in technology since the 1990s, we now have social media to share auroral experiences globally. Previously, during significant storms, there were no sensitive cameras available to capture these events.
In the current solar cycle, we are hitting G4 and G5 levels of storms—among the most extreme—and the availability of modern cameras enhances our ability to witness auroras, even from less vibrant displays. This may create an illusion that auroras have never appeared in the past, but science tells us they have been frequent, just not documented.
Furthermore, the Earth’s magnetic field is changing, altering the position of the auroras as particles penetrate deeper due to its weakening, which naturally slows the stirring in the Earth’s core.
Does the increased auroral activity indicate the sun is at its peak in this solar cycle?
As we reach the climax of this solar cycle, the observations lead many to believe the sun is behaving unusually. However, this notion simplifies what we’ve come to know; the previous cycles (24 and 23) were indeed the anomalies. Currently, our sun is displaying a behavior consistent with its historical patterns.
We’re now experiencing what constitutes an average cycle, not particularly intense. Previous cycles have exhibited even more activity than this one, making the notion of a prolonged inactive phase the true anomaly.
How concerned should we be about solar eruptions surpassing the intensity of the Carrington event of 1859, which resulted in widespread disruptions?
We’ve enhanced our knowledge about these events and their impacts on our infrastructure, accompanied by improved warning systems. The power grid remains a significant concern. During such storms, the Earth’s magnetic field generates strong fluctuations, creating currents similar to traffic jams in highways. When these currents encounter grounded power lines, it can overload systems that were not designed for such energy spikes.
To mitigate risks during storms, we can temporarily disconnect transformers from the ground. While this tactic carries potential dangers, it can be safer than leaving the grid fully connected. Some of these methods were validated during a G5 storm in May 2024, yielding promising results despite minor issues.
Our attention is also shifting towards GPS and navigation systems, particularly after storms during planting season last October created headaches for precision agriculture, notably impacting peanut farmers reliant on accurate geographical data. Rapidly deploying new technologies becomes crucial to address impending challenges.
Solar activity at its peak leads to the release of charged particles
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/SDO
These challenges apply to Earth, but how do they differ for spacecraft and astronauts bound for the moon or Mars?
Our atmosphere provides crucial protection that is absent on other celestial bodies. When viewing photos of the sun from the ground, one sees merely a bright orb because our atmosphere absorbs harmful radiant energy. This energy can cause radiation sickness if it reaches the surface. However, on a lunar body devoid of atmosphere, astronauts must shield themselves from radiation storms—high-energy particles unleashed from the sun. Researchers are exploring protective measures, such as constructing deep lunar bases and creating artificial magnetic fields.
Astronauts are already exposed to radiation during low Earth orbit missions, but exposure increases significantly on the moon.
Space weather has been remarkably fortunate historically. During the Apollo era in 1972, there was a severe particle radiation storm that could have been fatal for astronauts on the moon. Prolonged exposure to such radiation might have been lethal while confined in spacesuits. If that incident had unfolded differently, it would have dramatically altered the course of space exploration. Even today, these threats often go unnoticed.
While Mars possesses a weak atmosphere, radiation storms can still reach its surface. Thus, astronauts can’t just hide behind surface features; instead, they must live underground, introducing various complications to missions.
The initial bodies that formed in the solar system gathered materials from stars, presolar molecular clouds, and protozoan debris. Asteroids that have not experienced planetary differentiation retain evidence of these significant materials. Nevertheless, geological processes such as hydrothermal changes can significantly modify their composition and chemistry. In a recent study, researchers scrutinized the elemental and isotopic composition of samples from the asteroid Bennu, uncovering the origin and nature of the materials associated with its parent body.
This mosaic image of the asteroid Bennu consists of 12 images collected on December 2, 2018 by a 15-mile (24 km) Polycam instrument at Osiris-Rex. Image credit: NASA/NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/University of Arizona.
“Our analysis shows that Bennu’s elemental composition closely resembles that of the sun,” stated LLNL scientist Greg Brennecka.
“This indicates that the materials obtained from Bennu provide a valuable reference to the initial arrangement of the entire solar system.”
“Notably, Bennu has remained largely untouched by intense heat, which would alter some of its original ingredients.”
Researchers continue to investigate how planets form, and determining the initial composition of the solar system is akin to gathering a recipe for a cake.
“With that recipe, we gain insight into how all these elements interacted to create the solar system and, ultimately, the Earth and its living beings,” Dr. Brennecca remarked.
“If we aim to understand our origins, the composition of our solar system serves as a fundamental starting point.”
Outer view of the Osiris-Rex sample collector. Sample material for the asteroid can be seen in the center right. Image credits: NASA/Erika Blumenfeld/Joseph Aebersold.
The Osiris-Rex mission by NASA has introduced new possibilities by returning pristine samples to Earth while avoiding contamination from our planet.
LLNL scientist Quinn Shollenberger commented:
“We cannot tackle the significant question of ‘origins’ without a sample on Earth.”
“One of our objectives is to ascertain which elements of the periodic table and their percentages contributed to the solar system’s inception. Bennu can help us uncover this,” noted LLNL scientist Jan Render.
To achieve these findings, researchers ground the asteroid material into fine powders and dissolved them in acid.
This mixture was then analyzed with a series of mass spectrometers to determine the concentrations of most elements within the periodic table.
From these results, scientists have sorted the samples by elements and successfully analyzed the isotopic ratios of several.
“I work at a National Laboratory that boasts remarkable analytical capabilities with state-of-the-art equipment,” shared LLNL scientist Josh Winpenny.
“It is quite rare to have all these functions consolidated in one place, allowing us to make optimal use of these valuable materials.”
“NASA’s Johnson Space Center researcher Dr. Anne Nuguen stated:
“We discovered stardust grains with compositions predating our solar system, organic materials likely formed in interstellar space, and high-temperature minerals that originated close to the sun.”
“All these components were transported over to the region that formed Bennu’s precursor asteroids.”
Survey results published in the journal Natural Astronomy.
____
JJ Burns et al. Diversity and origin of materials accumulated by Bennu’s pro-asteroids. Nat Astron Published online on August 22, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41550-025-02631-6
Astronomers utilizing a visible broadband imager at NSF’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope captured an extraordinary coronal loop strand during the attenuation phase of the X1.3 class flare on August 8, 2024. This discovery heralds a significant advancement in determining the fundamental scale of solar coronal loops, advancing flare modeling into a groundbreaking territory.
High-resolution image of flares from the Inouye Solar Telescope, taken at 8:12 UT on August 2024. The image shows approximately four earth diamonds on each side. Labels for various related regions of the image are added to clarify: flare ribbons (bright regions of energy emissions in the dense low solar atmosphere) and arcades of coronal loops (arcs of magnetic field lines that transport energy from the corona to the flare ribbons). Image credit: NSF/NSO/AURA.
Coronal loops are plasma arches that follow solar magnetic field lines and often precede solar flares, which release massive amounts of energy tied to some of these lines.
This energy burst ignites solar storms that can impact Earth’s vital infrastructure.
Inouye astronomers observe sunlight at the H-Alpha wavelength (656.28 nm) to reveal specific solar features that remain hidden in other forms of solar observation.
“A lot of effort has gone into understanding this domain,” noted Dr. Cole Tamburi, an astronomer from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
“These flares represent some of the most energetic occurrences in our stars, and we were fortunate to capture this under ideal observational conditions.”
Dr. Tamburi and his team concentrated on the thin magnetic field loops resembling razors, woven over the flared ribbons.
On average, the loops measured around 48 km in width, although some results were limited by the telescope’s resolution.
“Before Inouye, I could only envision what this scale might look like,” remarked Dr. Tamburi.
“Now we can witness it in reality. These are the tiniest coronal loops observed on the sun.”
Inouye’s Visible Broadband Imager (VBI) tuned to the H-Alpha filter can resolve features down to 24 km.
This resolution is more than twice as sharp as that of the next best solar telescope, making this discovery possible.
“It’s one thing to theorize about a telescope’s capabilities,” commented Dr. Maria Kazachenko, PhD, from the University of Colorado Boulder.
“It’s invigorating to see those theories validated in practice.”
Initially, the research plan involved investigating the dynamics of chromospheric spectral lines using Inouye’s Visible Spectrometer (VISP). However, VBI data uncovered an unexpected treasure: an intricate coronal structure that can directly enhance flare models built with complex radiative hydrodynamic codes.
“We set out to find one thing and stumbled upon something even more intriguing,” Dr. Kazachenko stated.
The prevailing theory suggested that coronal loops could range from 10 to 100 km in width, but verifying this observationally had been challenging.
“We are finally gaining insight into the spatial scales we have long speculated about,” Dr. Tamburi explained.
“This paves the way for examining not just size, but shape, evolution, and even the scales where magnetic reconnection—the engine behind flares—occurs.”
Perhaps the most exciting implication is that these loops might be fundamental structures, core components of flare architecture.
“In that scenario, we wouldn’t just be mapping out clusters of loops; for the first time, we’re analyzing individual loops,” Dr. Tamburi added.
“It’s akin to observing a forest and suddenly recognizing all the trees.”
The image itself is stunning. A radiant arcade crowned with dark, thread-like loops, vibrant flared ribbons marked with strikingly sharp contours—ascending triangular patterns near the center and arc-shaped formations at the top.
“Even casual observers will soon recognize its complexity,” Dr. Tamburi remarked.
“This represents a landmark moment in solar science.”
“We are finally observing the sun at a scale that makes sense.”
The team’s paper will be published in Astrophysics Journal Letters.
____
Cole A. Tumburi et al. 2025. Revealing unprecedented microstructure in coronal flare loops using DKIST. apjl in press; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ADF95E
Explosive growth of solar energy and panels in Niamey, Niger
Boureima Hama/AFP via Getty Images
A remarkable increase in solar panel shipments from China to African nations over the past year suggests a significant boost in the continent’s renewable energy infrastructure. This growth facilitates broader access to affordable and clean electricity while decreasing the dependency on imported fossil fuels.
“We’re not witnessing a huge explosion yet,” says Dave Jones from Ember, a UK energy think tank. “This marks the beginning of momentum.”
Jones and his team examined export data for Chinese solar panels from 2017 to the present. Although Africa possesses the infrastructure for solar panel manufacturing, it remains reliant on Chinese imports for nearly all its needs.
From June 2024 to 2025, exports to Africa soared by 60%, surpassing the 15 gigawatts of electricity imported during this timeframe.
This recent surge differs from earlier increases in 2022 and 2023, which were mainly concentrated in South Africa; now, the growth is evident across the continent. Twenty nations report import records, and 25 nations import solar panels totaling 100 megawatts. “It’s not driven by one or two countries,” notes Jones, “which I find incredibly encouraging.”
While South Africa continues to lead, accounting for about a quarter of total imports, several other nations significantly increased their acquisitions. Nigeria ranks second with 1,721 megawatts, followed by Algeria, which imported 1,199 megawatts in total. In the last two years, imports of solar panels from China to African countries (excluding South Africa) have more than tripled.
If all panels imported in the past year have been installed, it’s estimated that 16 countries could meet at least 5% of their current electricity needs. Sierra Leone could potentially generate over 60% of its existing power from solar energy. This shift towards solar energy could also mitigate reliance on costly fossil fuel imports.
“The transition towards a just-energy Africa is no longer a distant goal; it is happening right now,” asserts Amos Wemanya, of Power Shift Africa, a Kenyan energy think tank. “This transition holds the promise to significantly enhance our resilience against climate disruptions and foster development.”
This surge can be attributed partly to substantial solar power projects in development; however, that isn’t the full story. Jones emphasizes that many imports are destined for small, distributed installations, such as rooftops and farms, as users seek more affordable and reliable alternatives to national grid power. A similar pattern has emerged in Pakistan, where rooftop solar has seen explosive growth in recent years, driven by falling panel prices.
While this trend is promising, around 600 million people in Africa—almost half the continent’s population—lack dependable electricity access. Nonetheless, the development of solar energy in Africa still lags behind other global regions. Many African countries struggle to secure investments in renewable energy, representing only 2% of global investments over the last few decades. Interestingly, over the past year, Pakistan has imported more solar panels than all of Africa combined, despite having only one-sixth of Africa’s population.
“Our key challenge is to transform this momentum into sustainable benefits by amending funding, policies, and local industries to ensure that clean energy is not only accessible but also reliable, affordable, and inclusive for all Africans,” concludes Wemanya.
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Could there be hidden planets in our solar system?
Peter Jurik/Alamy
At the far reaches of our solar system, there could be a new Earth-sized planet, referred to as Planet Y.
Astronomers have speculated for a long time about the existence of concealed planets past the Kuiper Belt, which is populated with frozen bodies, including UTO. Notable theories have included Planet X, a compelling candidate believed to be approximately seven times the mass of Earth and orbiting about 50 times the distance from the Sun, alongside at least 300 other solar masses.
Amir Shiraj from Princeton University and his team suggest the existence of Planet Y, distinct from other candidates, based on the warping observed in the orbits of some Kuiper Belt objects. “If that warp is confirmed, the simplest explanation is an undiscovered planet with a tilt,” Shiraj explains.
This hypothetical planet could have a mass comparable to that of Mercury or Earth and might orbit roughly 100-200 times the distance of genomic syndrome. The gravitational influence of this planet could cause certain Kuiper Belt objects to have orbits that are slightly inclined, mimicking the rippling effect in a body of water.
“The signals we’re detecting are subtle but trustworthy,” Shiraj remarks. “Previous hints of Planet Nine shared similar statistical probabilities.”
The orbital distortion conjectured for Planet Y differs from the rationale behind the potential existence of Planet Nine, which is thought to attract objects with its gravity. “The signatures indicate a different source,” Shiraj adds.
Johnty Horner at the University of South Queensland believes it is “plausible” that an unseen realm, like Planet Y, exists in the outer solar system. “It’s a reminder that we are still exploring what lies beyond Neptune; our understanding is still in its infancy,” he states.
Such a planet might have been ejected from the inner solar system to the outer reaches. “Scattering appears more likely,” Horner suggests.
With the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s decade-long survey of the skies, our perception of the outer solar system is expected to transform significantly in the coming years. Should Planet Y, Planet Nine, or other candidates exist, Rubin may directly observe them.
“Rubin is rapidly expanding our catalog of well-studied trans-Neptunian objects,” remarks Shiraj. If Planet Y is indeed lurking out there, Rubin might identify it “within the initial years of the survey,” Shiraj adds, or at least provide further evidence of the observed warping effect.
Solar flares pose risks to GPS systems and communication satellites
NASA/SDO/AIA
AI models developed with NASA satellite imagery are now capable of forecasting the sun’s appearance hours ahead.
“I envision this model as an AI telescope that enables us to observe the sun and grasp its ‘mood,'” states Juan Bernabe Moreno from IBM Research Europe.
The sun’s state is crucial because bursts of solar activity can bombard Earth with high-energy particles, X-rays, and extreme ultraviolet radiation. These events have the potential to disrupt GPS systems and communication satellites, as well as endanger astronauts and commercial flights. Solar flares may also be accompanied by coronal mass ejections, which can severely impact Earth’s magnetic field, leading to geomagnetic storms that could incapacitate power grids.
Bernabé-Moreno and his team at IBM and NASA created an AI model named Surya, derived from the Sanskrit word for ‘sun,’ by utilizing nine years of data from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory. This satellite captures ultra-high-resolution images of the sun across 13 wavelength channels. The AI models have learned to recognize patterns in this visual data and create forecasts of how the sun will appear from future observational stations.
When tested against historical solar flare data, the Surya model demonstrated a 16% improvement in accuracy for predicting flare occurrences within the next day compared to traditional machine learning models. There is also a possibility that the model could generate visualizations of flares observable for up to two hours in advance.
“The strength of AI lies in its capacity to comprehend physics in unconventional ways. It enhances our intuition regarding physical processes,” remarks Lisa Upton at the Southwest Research Institute in Colorado.
Upton is especially eager to explore if the Surya model can aid in predicting solar activity across the sun and at its poles—areas where NASA instruments cannot directly observe. While Surya does not explicitly aim to model the far side of the sun, it has shown promise in forecasting what the sun will resemble for several hours ahead as sections rotate into view, according to Bernabe Moreno.
However, it remains uncertain whether AI models can overcome existing obstacles in accurately predicting how solar activity will influence Earth. Bernard Jackson from the University of California, San Diego, points out that there is currently no means to directly observe the magnetic field composition between the Sun and Earth, a crucial factor determining the direction of high-energy particles emanating from the star.
As stated by Bernabé-Moreno, this model is intended for scientific use now, but future collaborations with other AI systems that could leverage Surya’s capabilities may allow it to support power grid operators and satellite constellation owners as part of early warning frameworks.
The sun is shining brighter through solar energy. According to Ember, a think tank on energy, solar energy has been the fastest-growing power source globally for the past two decades.
In 2022, solar power generation capacity surpassed 1 terawatt for the first time, and just two years later, it doubled, contributing 7% to the world’s electricity supply. When including wind turbines, which harness solar energy through different methods, solar accounted for 15% of global electricity last year.
This surge in solar energy is not simply due to an increased commitment to climate goals. Indeed, as noted in another Ember Report, many renewable energy targets have barely made progress towards achieving net-zero emissions over the past decade.
The true driver behind the rise of solar is its position as the most cost-effective method of electricity generation almost everywhere.
In his book Here Comes the Sun: The Last Chance for Climate and a New Chance for Civilization, long-time climate advocate Bill McKibben asserts that we are on the brink of a critical historical transition—from reliance on fossil fuels to embracing solar energy. “We are looking to the heavens for energy instead of to hell,” McKibben writes.
Below, he provides a thoughtful exploration of how solar energy not only addresses climate issues in time but also transforms the interaction between the economy and the natural world.
This is not the first call to action for a swift transition to renewable sources. However, it offers a visionary glimpse of what a solar-powered society could look like, going beyond just technological and economic considerations during the energy shift.
Solar-led energy transitions may be inevitable, but they may not happen quickly enough.
“This critical transformation is now presented as the most significant bargain ever, yet it remains cloaked in mysteries we have yet to fully unravel,” he notes.
This optimism is presented by McKibben, a renowned voice in environmentalism since his first book, The End of Nature, where he first alerted the world to the climate crisis.
Rather than detailing the ongoing damage from climate change, he emphasizes the numerous advantages of increased solar power, including more stable energy prices and reduced reliance on fossil fuel-rich states.
On a spiritual note, he suggests that this shift may rekindle our deep respect for the sun and its immense power.
McKibben also engages with skeptics of renewable energy, providing a balanced perspective on the trade-offs in the energy transition, such as the rising demand for minerals, land use, and potential job losses in fossil fuel industries. His argument is reinforced by an array of global anecdotes from different energy transitions, including a positive mention of the Kentucky Coal Mines Museum’s transition to solar energy to cut costs.
Nevertheless, doubts linger about the feasibility of McKibben’s optimistic outlook. A significant portion of the rapid growth in solar energy is currently occurring in China, which has unique advantages such as central planning and a distinct political structure that may not be replicable elsewhere. This rapid pace may not even be sustainable in China itself.
In the U.S., despite remarkable growth in solar energy in recent years, the industry now contends with challenges posed by the previous administration’s discontent towards renewable resources. Loss of tax credits that once leveled the playing field with subsidized fossil fuels and local opposition to solar projects also complicate future growth.
As McKibben acknowledges, both can be true: solar-driven energy transitions may be on the horizon, but reductions in emissions might not happen swiftly enough to avert further drastic impacts of global warming. “It won’t be easy, but it’s necessary,” he asserts. “We must cease burning, or we will face dire consequences.”
Personally, I resonate with this perspective—I’d much prefer to bask in the sunlight.
A tiny disc, roughly the size of a nail, has the potential to ascend to high altitudes in sunlight while carrying sensors through some of the coldest and thinnest parts of the atmosphere. These swarms, flying higher than commercial aircraft and balloons, could reveal new insights regarding Earth’s evolving weather and climate.
These floating devices harness a phenomenon known as photophoresis. This was initially discovered over 150 years ago when chemist William Crookes invented a radiometer, a device with black and white feathers that spin when they are exposed to sunlight. The wings absorb light and release heat, increasing the momentum of nearby gas molecules. Due to the difference in temperature between the black and white sides of the wings, the black side emits more momentum, allowing the air to flow in one direction with sufficient force to turn the wings.
“We’ve embraced this lesser-known physics to develop applications that could benefit many people, enhancing our understanding of how weather and climate change unfolds over time.” Ben Schafer from Harvard University.
To create the levitating disc, Schafer and his team designed a device that spans 1 cm, composed of two sheets of aluminum oxide filled with microscale holes. When illuminated, the lower sheet, which contains alternating layers of chromium and aluminum oxide, heats up more than the top layer, similar to the black sides of the radiometer blades. This generates a directional airflow that moves upwards instead of sideways.
Under white LED and laser illumination — set to an intensity that mimics about 50% of natural sunlight — this upward force successfully lifted the device. This represents progress over previous solar-powered flyers, which required light intensity significantly brighter than sunlight. However, the tests were conducted under laboratory conditions with air pressure much lower than Earth’s surface pressure.
Fortunately, such low pressure conditions are common at higher altitudes, especially in the Mesosphere, which spans 50-85 km above the Earth. Researchers indicate that increasing the disc’s size to 3 centimeters could enable it to carry a 10-milligram payload to hard-to-reach research areas at altitudes of 75 km. Schafer has co-founded a startup, Rare Feed Technology, aiming to commercialize fleets of these high-flying devices for environmental monitoring and communications.
After sunset, computer modeling indicates that these discs could utilize the heat radiating from Earth’s surface to remain airborne. “If they can stay afloat during the night, that represents a significant advancement instead of simply descending and landing.” Igor Bargatin from the University of Pennsylvania, who is conducting similar research.
Astronomers have, for the first time, been able to witness the early stages of solar system formation, discovering small entities that would eventually evolve into planets orbiting a distant young star.
This represents the earliest phase of planetary formation ever documented, giving us insight into our own solar system’s appearance shortly after the Sun ignited.
“We observe signs of planetary development – the transformation of tiny dust particles into slightly larger grains – and in some systems, this provides insight into earlier phases. Professor Merel Van ‘T Hoff, a co-author of the new study, elaborated on these findings. BBC Science Focus.
“This can be likened to researchers studying human evolution who, for the first time, can observe infants by examining young children.”
The Baby Planetary System is coming to life around a young star known as Hops-315, located 1,300 light years from Earth.
Stars in this early stage are thought to closely resemble our Sun, making them ideal subjects for uncovering the secrets of our solar system’s inception and Earth’s genesis.
Young stars like Hops-315 are enveloped by hot disks of gas and dust termed “protoplanetary discs.” Initially, these disks are extremely hot, causing silicon and iron – crucial planetary components – to be in gaseous form. However, as the disk cools, these elements begin to solidify.
Evidence from ancient meteorites in our solar system suggests that the first solid materials were formed from these discs, specifically crystalline minerals containing silicon monoxide (SiO).
These images illustrate how hot gas condenses into solid minerals around Baby Star Hops-315. The left image captures Hops-315 and its surroundings as seen by the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (Alma). Two insets depict an artist’s representation of silicon monoxide molecules condensing into solid silicates – credit: ESO/L. Calsada/Alma (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/M. McClure et al.
Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (Alma), international teams identified SiO in its gaseous form and as a newly formed crystalline mineral surrounding Hops-315, strongly indicating that solidification is just beginning.
“The first tiny minerals we observe clump together to form ‘pebbles,’ roughly the size of thumbnails,” Professor Melissa McClure, who led the research, stated. BBC Science Focus. “If they cluster closely enough, they can naturally collapse under their own gravity, forming bodies similar in size to kilometer-sized asteroids.
“Eventually, these will collide and merge, creating a planetary embryo, a full-sized rocky planet, or even the core of a gas giant like Jupiter.”
The research team plans to continue its observations of Hops-315 while also looking for other systems at this nascent stage of planetary evolution.
However, don’t expect to witness planetary formations in real-time. As Van’T Hoff remarked, “The timescale for disk evolution spans hundreds of thousands of years.”
Merrell van T. Hoff is an assistant professor at Purdue University in the United States. His research aims to understand how planets form and how frequently Earth-like planets exist in the Milky Way and other galaxies. Before joining Purdue, Professor Van’T Hoff was a postdoctoral researcher with the Michigan Fellows Association at the University of Michigan.
Melissa McClure is an assistant professor at Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands and a Beni Prize laureate. Her research employs observations and models to trace how solid building blocks of life (such as “dust” grains like ice and rocks) are incorporated from the formation of dense molecular clouds to the evolution of planets within protoplanetary discs and young exoplanets.
Northwest Africa 12264 Meteorite Stones Are Older Than Anticipated
Ben Hofnagers
Tiny chips from a singular meteorite may completely challenge our current understanding of the solar system’s formation, as it has proven to be older than initially thought.
Earlier research indicated that small, rocky entities known as protoplanets formed relatively later, scattered across the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Interestingly, it is believed that the inner regions formed around 4.563 billion years ago, a slightly older timeline compared to the inner protoplanet’s age of 4.566 billion years. This age discrepancy was presumed to be due to the outer regions containing more water and ice, which would have slowed the inner core’s melting process.
This timing gap, while brief in the grand scheme of cosmology, was long accepted as a component of our cosmic history. Now, according to Ben Ryder Stokes from the Open University in Milton Keynes, UK, this notion needs reevaluation.
Planetary formation is typically thought to occur through accretion, where dust and gas are pulled in by gravitational forces, followed by differentiation—where the accumulated material heats up, melts, and separates into cores, mantles, and crusts. This process was previously thought to unfold at slightly divergent times for the early solar system’s internal and external protoplanets, but that view is now under scrutiny.
The team’s pivotal finding centers on a small meteorite named Northwest Africa 12264. Weighing around 50 grams, it was acquired in 2018 from a dealer in Morocco. Researchers obtained consent from the owner to analyze fine particles shaved from the meteorite, revealing that the ratio of chromium to oxygen—which varies in known patterns throughout our solar system—indicated the stones originated from the outer regions.
The meteorite’s composition also indicated that it came from the area between the core and crust, specifically the mantle, marking the first sample found from the outer solar system’s mantle. “This planet must have undergone significant upheaval to expose material from such depths,” states Ryder Stokes. “There surely must have been a colossal impact involved.”
Crucially, however, the age determined through lead isotopes contradicts the prevailing belief that the outer protoplanet should be younger. “This finding is astonishing, as it implies some of the oldest materials in the solar system,” he explains. “It suggests that rocky planets formed simultaneously in both the inner and outer solar system.”
Sebastiaan Krijt from the University of Exeter in the UK notes that shifts in events occurring over millions of years may not seem exigent at the time, yet could have profound implications. Understanding the sequence of events that shaped the solar system and the interactions of the various processes involved is essential for studying both solar systems and star systems throughout the universe.
“These stages of formation are considerably brief, and a mere million years can create significant distinctions,” Krijt remarks. “Getting the chronology and sequence of events correct is of utmost importance.”
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