Led by Dr. Keiichi Ogasawara, the study shows that helium pickup ions play a crucial role in the formation of solar energetic particles (SEPs), a high-energy class of particles including electrons, protons, and heavy ions that arise during solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). SwRI scientists used observations from NASA's Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO) to trace the acceleration profiles of these ions across multiple CME events.

"We carefully identified the specific properties of the ions and used them to trace the physical energy transfer processes," said Ogasawara. "We also considered the roles played by different types of interplanetary shocks, when fast-moving solar wind disturbances collide with slower-moving solar wind plasmas."

The team found that helium pickup ions often travel at velocities up to twice that of the ambient solar wind-even during quiet solar conditions. Their higher energy levels make them especially susceptible to further acceleration in the dynamic environment of CME-driven shocks.

The SwRI study also analyzed how these particles behave relative to local magnetic field orientations and shock structures. By isolating different heliospheric regions, such as turbulent zones and CME sheaths, the researchers developed a new method for mapping particle evolution. This approach enabled them to distinguish between energy-gaining, energy-losing, and energy-conserving mechanisms.

"The velocity distribution of pickup ions is quite different from that of the solar wind," Ogasawara noted. "Because of this difference, pickup ions are more effectively accelerated to even higher energies than normal solar wind particles."

Understanding the acceleration of SEPs is vital, as their high energy levels can pose significant radiation risks to astronauts and spacecraft. The new tracking method enhances scientists' ability to predict where and how these particles gain energy within the heliosphere.

"This study examined particle behavior across a broad range of structures in the heliosphere including magnetic structures, interplanetary shocks and the sheath region that forms in advance of a CME," added Ogasawara.

Research Report:Helium Pickup Ion Velocity Distributions Observed in Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejection Structures

]]> Fri, 23 MAY 2025 02:09:28 AEST Berlin, Germany (SPX) May 19, 2025 - An international research team has identified the most extreme solar particle storm ever recorded, occurring approximately 14,300 years ago in 12350 BC. This finding, uncovered by scientists at the University of Oulu, Finland, extends the known history of space weather and radiocarbon production, providing a critical data point for understanding ancient solar activity.

The research, led by Postdoctoral Researcher Kseniia Golubenko and Professor Ilya Usoskin, utilized a newly developed chemistry-climate model, SOCOL:14C-Ex, to reconstruct the intensity of solar particle storms under late Ice Age conditions. The model revealed that this ancient storm was roughly 18% more intense than the AD 775 event, previously the largest known solar storm based on tree-ring data.

"Compared to the largest event of the modern satellite era - the 2005 particle storm - the ancient 12350 BC event was over 500 times more intense, according to our estimates," explained Dr. Golubenko.

The SOCOL:14C-Ex model, designed specifically to assess such extreme ancient events, was validated using wood samples from the French Alps, dating to the late Ice Age. This verification confirmed the exceptional strength of the 12350 BC storm, pushing the boundaries of known solar activity beyond the Holocene epoch, which spans the past 12,000 years.

Solar particle storms, though rare, have profound effects on Earth's atmosphere, dramatically increasing the production of cosmogenic isotopes like radiocarbon (14C). These intense storms can serve as precise timestamps for dating ancient artifacts, as evidenced by the so-called Miyake events, which have previously enabled precise dating of Viking settlements and Neolithic sites.

"This event establishes a new worst-case scenario," said Golubenko, emphasizing the importance of understanding such events for predicting potential impacts on modern technological infrastructure, including satellites and power grids.

Research Report:New SOCOL:14C-Ex model reveals that the Late-Glacial radiocarbon spike in 12350 BC was caused by the record-strong extreme solar storm

]]> Fri, 23 MAY 2025 02:09:28 AEST Greenbelt MD (SPX) May 12, 2025 - One year ago today, representatives from NASA and about 30 other U.S. government agencies gathered for a special meeting to simulate and address a threat looming in space. The threat was not an asteroid or aliens, but our very own life-giving Sun.

The inaugural Space Weather Tabletop Exercise was supposed to be a training event, where experts could work through the real-time ramifications of a geomagnetic storm, a global disruption to Earth's magnetic field. Driven by solar eruptions, geomagnetic storms can decimate satellites, overload electrical grids, and expose astronauts to dangerous radiation. Minimizing the impacts of such storms requires close coordination, and this meeting was their chance to practice.

Then, their simulation turned into reality.

"The plan was to run through a hypothetical scenario, finding where our existing processes worked and where they needed improvement," said Jamie Favors, director of NASA's Space Weather Program at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "But then our hypothetical scenario was interrupted by a very real one."

On May 10, 2024, the first G5 or "severe" geomagnetic storm in over two decades hit Earth. The event, named the Gannon storm in memory of leading space weather physicist Jennifer Gannon, did not cause any catastrophic damages. But a year on, key insights from the Gannon storm are helping us understand and prepare for future geomagnetic storms.

Storm Consequences

On the ground, some high-voltage lines tripped, transformers overheated, and GPS-guided tractors veered off-course in the Midwestern U.S., further disrupting planting that had already been delayed by heavy rains that spring.

"Not all farms were affected, but those that were lost on average about $17,000 per farm," said Terry Griffin, a professor of Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University. "It's not catastrophic, but they'll miss it."

In the air, the threat of higher radiation exposure, as well as communication and navigation losses, forced trans-Atlantic flights to change course.

During the storm, Earth's upper atmospheric layer called the thermosphere heated to unusually high temperatures. At 100 miles altitude, the temperature typically peaks at 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, but during the storm it surpassed 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit. NASA's GOLD (Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk) mission observed the atmosphere expanding from the heat to create a strong wind that lofted heavy nitrogen particles higher.

In orbit, the expanded atmosphere increased drag on thousands of satellites. NASA's ICESat-2 lost altitude and entered safe mode while NASA's Colorado Inner Radiation Belt Experiment (CIRBE) CubeSat deorbited prematurely five months after the storm. Others, such as the European Space Agency's Sentinel mission, required more power to maintain their orbits and perform maneuvers to avoid collisions with space debris.

The storm also dramatically changed the structure of an atmospheric layer called the ionosphere. A dense zone of the ionosphere that normally covers the equator at night dipped toward the South Pole in a check mark shape, causing a temporary gap near the equator.

The Gannon storm also rocked Earth's magnetosphere, the magnetic bubble surrounding the planet. Data from NASA missions MMS (Magnetospheric Multiscale) and THEMIS-ARTEMIS - short for Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions-Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of the Moon's Interaction with the Sun - saw giant, curling waves of particles and rolled-up magnetic fields along the edge of the CMEs. These waves were perfectly sized to periodically dump extra magnetic energy and mass into the magnetosphere upon impact, creating the largest electrical current seen in the magnetosphere in 20 years.

Incoming energy and particles from the Sun also created two new temporary belts of energetic particles within the magnetosphere. Discovered by CIRBE, these belts formed between the Van Allen radiation belts that permanently surround Earth. The belt's discovery is important to spacecraft and astronauts that can be imperiled by high-energy electrons and protons in the belts.

Unusual Auroras

Photographers helped scientists understand why auroras observed throughout Japan were magenta rather than the typical red. Researchers studied hundreds of photos and found the auroras were surprisingly high - around 600 miles above the ground (200 miles higher than red auroras typically appear).

In a paper published in the journal Scientific Reports, the research team says the peculiar color likely resulted from a mix of red and blue auroras, produced by oxygen and nitrogen molecules lofted higher than usual as the Gannon storm heated and expanded the upper atmosphere.

"It typically needs some special circumstances, like we saw last May," co-author Josh Pettit of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center said of Japan's magenta auroras. "A very unique event indeed."

Otherworldly Effects

As energetic particles from the Sun struck the Martian atmosphere, NASA's MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) orbiter watched auroras engulf the Red Planet from May 14 to 20.

Solar particles overwhelmed the star camera on NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter (which uses stars to orient the spacecraft), causing the camera to cut out for almost an hour.

On the Martian surface, images from the navigation cameras on NASA's Curiosity rover were freckled with "snow" - streaks and specks caused by charged particles. Meanwhile, Curiosity's Radiation Assessment Detector recorded the biggest surge of radiation since the rover landed in 2012. If astronauts had been there, they would have received a radiation dose of 8,100 micrograys - equivalent to 30 chest X-rays.

Still More to Come

Research Report:Extended magenta aurora as revealed by citizen science

]]> Fri, 23 MAY 2025 02:09:28 AEST Berlin, Germany (SPX) May 15, 2025 - Scientists have identified the most intense solar particle storm ever detected, dating back to 12,350 BC, significantly revising our understanding of ancient space weather and radiocarbon dating. This groundbreaking discovery was made possible through the SOCOL:14C-Ex model, developed by researchers at the University of Oulu in Finland, designed to analyze extreme solar storms under ancient glacial conditions.

The study, led by Postdoctoral Researcher Kseniia Golubenko and Professor Ilya Usoskin, identified an 18% stronger spike in radiocarbon than the previously strongest known event from AD 775. This marks the most intense solar storm detected in tree-ring archives, far surpassing modern records.

"Compared to the largest event of the modern satellite era - the 2005 particle storm - the ancient 12,350 BC event was over 500 times more intense, according to our estimates," explained Dr. Golubenko.

The new model was validated using ancient wood samples from the French Alps, dating back some 14,300 years, confirming its accuracy for extreme particle storms even outside the stable Holocene climate epoch, which spans the past 12,000 years.

Solar particle storms, unlike geomagnetic storms like the 1859 Carrington Event, can dramatically increase atmospheric radiocarbon (14C) levels, creating precise cosmic timestamps in tree rings. Such events, known as Miyake events, have been critical for dating ancient human settlements and understanding past solar behavior.

"Miyake events allow us to pin down exact calendar years in floating archaeological chronologies," Usoskin noted. These signals have enabled precise dating of Viking settlements in Newfoundland and Neolithic sites in Greece.

This latest finding provides a new worst-case scenario for solar storms, highlighting the potential impacts on modern infrastructure, including satellites, power grids, and communications systems.

Research Report:New SOCOL:14C-Ex model reveals that the Late-Glacial radiocarbon spike in 12350 BC was caused by the record-strong extreme solar storm

]]> Fri, 23 MAY 2025 02:09:28 AEST Berlin, Germany (SPX) May 21, 2025 - New imaging technology developed by the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP) has enabled the Vacuum Tower Telescope (VTT) in Tenerife to capture unprecedented, high-resolution views of solar activity. The upgrade bridges a long-standing observational gap between wide-field solar monitoring and fine-structure resolution.

The enhanced camera system restores the VTT's full observational field using advanced image reconstruction techniques. Each restored image is synthesized from 100 rapid-exposure frames at 8000 + 6000 pixels, captured at 25 frames per second. This process achieves 8K resolution and compensates for atmospheric turbulence, allowing scientists to resolve structures as small as 100 kilometers on the Sun's surface.

Time-lapse sequences with a temporal resolution of 20 seconds provide insights into dynamic phenomena in active solar regions. The upgraded VTT now supports simultaneous operation with instruments such as HELLRIDE, LARS, and FaMuLUS, maintained by the Thuringian State Observatory, the Institute for Solar Physics, and AIP respectively.

"This kind of multi-instrument synergy is essential to decipher not just the fine-scale structures but also the magnetic evolution within active regions," noted Rolf Schlichenmaier of the Institute for Solar Physics.

The new wide-field solar images span roughly 200,000 kilometers-about one-seventh of the Sun's diameter-revealing extensive sunspot groups and large-scale plasma motion. Typical large solar telescopes offer a narrower field of around 75,000 kilometers. "Our expectations of the camera system were more than fulfilled right from the start," said doctoral researcher Robert Kamlah from AIP and the University of Potsdam.

High-detail G-band observations showed sunspot groupings embedded in supergranular convection patterns, and penumbral filaments displayed complex non-radial magnetic orientations. Using targeted filters, researchers made subtle magnetic structures visible in both the photosphere and chromosphere.

Time series in the Ca II K line at 393.3 nm and the Fraunhofer G-band at 430.7 nm enabled precise tracking of magnetic activity and plasma motion across multiple atmospheric layers. These innovations not only enhance scientific understanding but also improve solar flare monitoring for space weather prediction.

"Our results show how, together with our partners, we are teaching an old telescope new tricks," said Carsten Denker, Head of AIP's Solar Physics Section. He emphasized the future role of affordable 8K CMOS camera systems in expanding the capabilities of upcoming 4-meter-class solar telescopes.

The VTT, a 0.7-meter instrument established in 1988, is operated by a German consortium led by the Institute for Solar Physics in Freiburg, with support from AIP and the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Gottingen.

Research Report:Wide-field Image Restoration of G-Band and Ca II K Images Containing Large and Complex Active Regions

]]> Fri, 23 MAY 2025 02:09:28 AEST Paris, France (SPX) May 14, 2025 - For the first time, the European Space Agency's Proba-3 mission has achieved precise formation flying, maintaining millimetre-level alignment between two spacecraft in orbit without ground control for several hours.

The mission's two satellites, the Coronagraph and the Occulter, achieved a 150-metre separation in orbit, effectively acting as a single giant instrument. This alignment was the result of extensive engineering work, including efforts at the European Space Security and Education Centre in Redu, Belgium, where ESA engineers and industrial partners calibrated and tested the spacecraft.

The spacecraft maintain their relative positions using a sophisticated Visual Based System, including wide-angle and narrow-angle cameras on the Occulter that track LED markers on the Coronagraph. This innovative approach allows the satellites to autonomously manage their positions during each orbit, a significant advancement in satellite coordination.

Raphael Rougeot, a Proba-3 systems engineer, explains, "The formation flying is performed when the spacecraft are more than 50,000 km above Earth, where gravitational forces are weaker, reducing the propellant needed to maintain alignment." The ultimate aim is to position the two spacecraft so that the 1.4-m disc on the Occulter casts a precise 5-cm shadow onto the Coronagraph, enabling unprecedented study of the Sun's corona.

Achieving this required two key innovations. The first was the integration of the Fine Lateral and Longitudinal Sensor (FLLS), a laser-based instrument that provides millimetre-level positioning accuracy. Jorg Versluys, Proba-3 payloads manager, describes it as "a laser beam fired from the Occulter, reflected back by the Coronagraph's retroreflector, and detected to provide precise relative positioning."

The second breakthrough involved the use of a shadow position sensor, which relies on light intensity measurements around the Coronagraph aperture to ensure it remains in the shadow cast by the Occulter.

Damien Galano, Proba-3 project manager, highlights the precision achieved: "We are talking about millimetric accuracy in range and sub-millimetric in lateral position."

The mission, managed by ESA and led by Spain's Sener, includes contributions from 29 companies across 14 countries, including GMV and Airbus Defence and Space in Spain, and Redwire Space and Spacebel in Belgium. The Coronagraph instrument was developed by Belgium's Centre Spatial de Liege (CSL), with science data processing managed by the Royal Observatory of Belgium. Proba-3 was launched on 5 December 2024 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India.

]]> Fri, 23 MAY 2025 02:09:28 AEST London, UK (SPX) May 12, 2025 - A new GBP 5 million, five-year research initiative aims to tackle some of the most fundamental questions in solar physics, with a focus on the complex and dynamic processes occurring within the Sun's atmosphere. The Solar Atmospheric Modelling Suite (SAMS) project, funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council's (STFC) new Large Award scheme, seeks to develop a next-generation modelling tool capable of simulating the Sun's atmosphere from the photosphere to the corona, capturing the intricate interactions that drive solar activity.

The Sun's behavior profoundly influences satellites, space missions, and technology on Earth, making accurate simulations of its atmospheric processes essential. SAMS aims to overcome current limitations in solar modelling by integrating cutting-edge physics and advanced computational capabilities. The project is designed to run on a wide range of computing systems, from standard laptops to the latest Exascale supercomputers.

The initiative is led by the University of Exeter, with key collaboration from the universities of Warwick, Sheffield, and Cambridge. Professor Andrew Hillier from the University of Exeter emphasized the significance of this effort, stating, "For a long time the UK was leading the way in simulating the atmosphere of the Sun, but in recent years we have been eclipsed. This project will put us right back as one of the leaders in this area."

The SAMS project will provide open-source, physics-based modelling tools, promoting widespread accessibility and usability among researchers globally. It also aims to provide critical training for early career scientists in the complex physical processes that govern the Sun's atmosphere, supporting the next generation of solar researchers.

Dr. Erwin Verwichte, Associate Professor (Reader) at the University of Warwick, highlighted the foundational role of their institution in this effort, noting, "Warwick has built a world-leading reputation in numerical modelling of plasma physics. Our simulation codes, whether applied to fusion research, the Sun, or space weather, are used by researchers across the world. The SAMS code will be built on top of that heritage and signifies a key stepping stone in simulating and expanding our knowledge of the Sun's atmosphere."

Professor Grahame Blair, STFC Executive Director of Programmes, reinforced the strategic importance of this investment, stating, "This substantial investment demonstrates our commitment to maintaining the UK's leading role in solar physics research. Understanding the complex dynamics of our Sun is vital not just for scientific advancement, but for protecting our technology infrastructure, satellite networks, power grids, and communications systems on Earth from the impacts of space weather."

Research Report:Solar Atmospheric Modelling Suite

]]> Fri, 23 MAY 2025 02:09:28 AEST Sydney, Australia (SPX) May 07, 2025 - When sunlight interacts with Earth, it creates a spectrum of phenomena ranging from the stunning beauty of rainbows to the more subtle but equally intriguing dynamics that shape our planet's atmosphere. Recent advancements in shortwave radiation research are now revealing critical insights into these processes, as highlighted in a new perspective study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences.

This study explores the fundamental role of shortwave radiation, or sunlight, in Earth's climate system and underscores the need for further research into its complex behavior. "There has traditionally been a lot of interest in understanding shortwave radiation variability," said Jake Gristey, a researcher with the University of Colorado's CIRES, also affiliated with LASP and NOAA's Chemical Sciences Laboratory. "Real world applications that directly benefit society are numerous, from agriculture to renewable energy to air quality."

Gristey's work identifies three key challenges and opportunities in this field. The first is a critical limitation in current atmospheric models. Shortwave radiation is often represented as a series of isolated columns in these models, ignoring horizontal transport. "Shortwave radiation transport in the horizontal direction - or between columns - is therefore unaccounted for," Gristey noted. As atmospheric simulations move toward finer spatial grids, understanding this lateral energy flow will be crucial for improving model accuracy.

The second area of focus is the timing of satellite measurements. Gristey highlights the need for more comprehensive data collection throughout the day. "Shortwave radiation reflected by Earth can change drastically throughout the day, but many satellites only measure limited parts of the day," he explained. He points to promising advances in small satellite technology and sensor miniaturization that could soon close this gap, allowing for cost-effective, continuous monitoring.

Lastly, the study examines the spectral composition of shortwave radiation. Unlike simple light, shortwave radiation comprises a wide range of wavelengths, each holding valuable information about Earth's surface and atmospheric conditions. Gristey suggests that future satellite constellations could harness this spectral data to enhance our understanding of how natural and human-driven changes impact the planet.

Research Report:A Perspective on Shortwave Radiative Energy Flows in the Earth System

]]> Fri, 23 MAY 2025 02:09:28 AEST Berlin, Germany (SPX) Apr 30, 2025 - The Inouye Solar Telescope, the world's largest solar observatory, has reached a critical milestone with the activation of its most advanced instrument to date: the Visible Tunable Filter (VTF), a massive spectro-polarimeter now operational atop Hawaii's Haleakala volcano. With a four-meter primary mirror, the telescope has delivered remarkable solar images since 2022, and the VTF dramatically expands its capabilities.

Researchers refer to the event as a "technical first light" for VTF. This 5.6-ton, two-floor instrument is designed to dissect sunlight with exceptional precision. Developed over 15 years by the Institute for Solar Physics in Freiburg, Germany, it uses two custom Fabry-Perot interferometers to isolate specific wavelengths of light and polarization states, enabling researchers to extract detailed solar data with spatial resolutions of 10 kilometers per pixel and temporal capture rates of hundreds of frames per second.

"The Inouye Solar Telescope was designed to study the underlying physics of the Sun as the driver of space weather. In pursuing this goal, the Inouye is an ideal platform for an unprecedented and pioneering instrument like the VTF," said Christoph Keller, Director of the National Solar Observatory.

The VTF allows scientists to explore the Sun's dynamic photosphere and chromosphere in unparalleled detail, capturing critical measurements such as plasma flow velocity, magnetic field strength, temperature, and pressure. This level of insight is essential for decoding the origins of solar eruptions that can affect Earth's magnetosphere and satellites.

"The commissioning of VTF represents a significant technological advance for the Inouye Solar Telescope. The instrument is, so to speak, the heart of the solar telescope, which is now finally beating at its final destination," explained Matthias Schubert, VTF project scientist at the Kiepenheuer Institute for Solar Physics (KIS).

In a demonstration of its imaging power, VTF captured a high-resolution image at 588.9 nanometers wavelength showing a sunspot and its finely detailed penumbra spanning a 25,000-kilometer square region of the solar surface. These sunspots are zones of intense magnetic activity that block the ascent of hot plasma, a key phenomenon in space weather research.

"VTF enables images of unprecedented quality and thus heralds a new era in ground-based solar observation," noted Sami K. Solanki, director at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research.

]]> Fri, 23 MAY 2025 02:09:28 AEST London, UK (SPX) Apr 30, 2025 - Earth's upper atmosphere reacts more quickly and strongly to solar flare activity than previously understood, according to new findings from Queen's University Belfast.

Researchers studying a powerful solar flare from 2012 found that Earth's atmosphere exhibited synchronized pulses in direct response to rhythmic bursts of energy from the Sun. This marks the first time scientists have confirmed such synchronized behavior.

"Using a space based satellite, we detected rhythmic pulses from the sun every 90 seconds. We also analysed the changes in the density of Earth's atmosphere using a network of GPS satellites and ground-based receivers during this time and found that it responded with its own pulses just 30 seconds after the pulses were detected from the sun," explained Aisling O'Hare, lead author and PhD student in the School of Mathematics and Physics.

The team examined extreme ultraviolet radiation emitted during the flare and compared it with fluctuations in the ionosphere's total electron content (TEC). The response occurred almost immediately, suggesting that atmospheric impacts from major flares could manifest within half a minute of solar emission.

O'Hare, who is part of an International Space Science Institute team focused on Sun-Earth interactions, said the study illustrates just how sensitive Earth's upper atmosphere is to solar activity. "We are currently in solar maximum - the sun's most active part of its 11-year cycle, so flares are happening almost every day, and this study sheds new light on how deeply their effects are felt on Earth."

Dr Ryan Milligan, O'Hare's supervisor, emphasized the broader implications: "This work really shows just how sensitive our atmosphere is to subtle variations in solar radiation, although what drives these pulsations during solar flares in the first place still remains unknown."

He added, "Aisling's work goes a long way towards understanding the Sun-Earth relationship by studying them as an interconnected system, and not just looking at either body in isolation."

Research Report:Quasi-Periodic Pulsations in Ionospheric TEC Synchronized With Solar Flare EUV Emission

]]> Fri, 23 MAY 2025 02:09:28 AEST Subscribe to our daily selection of space, military, environment and energy newsletters responseText http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=0016gbbKsaiGSpQFojVO8ZoHw%3D%3D