What happens when the solar wind suddenly starts to blow significantly harder? According to two recent studies, the boundaries of our entire solar system balloon outward — and an analysis of particles rebounding off of its edges will reveal its new shape. Continue reading “As solar wind blows, our heliosphere balloons”
Atoms may hum a tune from grand cosmic symphony
Researchers playing with a cloud of ultracold atoms uncovered behavior that bears a striking resemblance to the universe in microcosm. Their work, which forges new connections between atomic physics and the sudden expansion of the early universe, will be published in Physical Review X and highlighted by Physics. Continue reading “Atoms may hum a tune from grand cosmic symphony”
Martian moons model indicates formation following large impact
Southwest Research Institute scientists posit a violent birth of the tiny Martian moons Phobos and Deimos, but on a much smaller scale than the giant impact thought to have resulted in the Earth-Moon system. Their work shows that an impact between proto-Mars and a dwarf-planet-sized object likely produced the two moons, as detailed in a paper published today in Science Advances. Continue reading “Martian moons model indicates formation following large impact”
An Orthodox Perspective on Alien Life
This is an essay that was originally published in the April 8, 1965 edition of The Boston Globe (p. 18) by Fr. John S. Romanides (1927–2001), a Greek Orthodox presbyter, author, and professor of theology. It is presented here in its entirety with some minor, stylistic editing. Continue reading “An Orthodox Perspective on Alien Life”
Space is proved hostile to DNA
Spending a year in space not only changes your outlook, it transforms your gene expression. Continue reading “Space is proved hostile to DNA”