The planet Mercury's magnetic field appears to be strong enough to fend off the harsh solar wind from most of its surface, according to data gathered in part by a University of Michigan instrument onboard NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft. picked by AutumnLotus 10 months ago

For reasons not fully understood by scientists, the weeks around the vernal equinox are prone to Northern Lights. This is a bit of a puzzle. Auroras are caused by solar activity, but the Sun doesn't know what season it is on Earth. So how could one season yield more auroras than another? picked by AutumnLotus 9 months ago

Astronomers said Wednesday that they had found a miniature version of our own solar system 5,000 light-years across the galaxy — the first planetary system that really looks like our own, with outer giant planets and room for smaller inner planets.

They also found signs of Elvis and Amelia Earhart. picked by mahler87 10 months ago

For the first time, astronomers think that they've found evidence of an alien solar system around a star close enough to Earth to be visible to the naked eye. picked by AutumnLotus 1 month ago

As reservoirs of valuable information go, nothing beats the sun. This sphere of heat and energy holds 99.9 percent of the solar system, saved in all original proportions after planets and meteorites formed. Analyzing the mix of hydrogen, oxygen and noble gases found in the sun can answer one of the biggest questions of the universe: How did our solar system evolve? picked by AutumnLotus 1 year ago

Sails to catch the Solar Wind has been a science-fiction staple for many years. The photons streaming from the sun do have a bit of pressure. It is tiny, but it adds up and in the vacuum of space it is sufficient to propel a vehicle. What's more the energy is free and unlimited. picked by 2manyusernames 5 months ago

Using the Sun Earth Connection Coronal and Heliospheric Investigation (SECCHI) instruments on board NASA's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) spacecraft, a consortium of scientists has seen, for the first time, large waves of solar material sweeping past Earth. picked by AutumnLotus 12 months ago

The Global Positioning System, relied on for everything from navigating cars and airplanes to transferring money between banks, may be threatened by powerful solar flares, a panel of scientists warned. picked by suebe 2 years ago

A plethora of latest results from the Hinode solar observatory contains a wealth of new discoveries. This includes the discovery of a source of the slow solar wind and the observation of a superhot micro flare. picked by AutumnLotus 8 months ago

Incredible solar powered aircrafts ready to change the way we’ll fly in the green future...... picked by yashibn 2 years ago

A groundbreaking took place Monday at Nellis Air Force Base, just north of Las Vegas, Nevada, in the desolate, arid, windswept Mojave Desert. The ceremony will initiate construction on what will be the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) array in the United States, capable of producing 15-18 megawatts of power. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

A solar-powered barbecue has gone on sale in the UK, allowing fans of outdoor cooking to enjoy summer without fear of harming the environment. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

A new study reveals solar flares cause seismic waves to ripple across the sun's surface. The findings will help scientists study other stars. picked by AutumnLotus 7 months ago

This solar powered laptop features powerful batteries that are recharged by wide Solar Panel attached to the computer. picked by thinkpozzitive 9 months ago

NASA's sun-focused STEREO spacecraft unexpectedly detected particles from the edge of the solar system last year. picked by Bornbad 5 months ago

Scientists are tracking the violent convulsions in the giant cloud of gas and dust that gave birth to the solar system 4.5 billion years ago via a few tiny particles from comet Wild 2. picked by AutumnLotus 2 weeks ago

The name of the mission is Solar Probe+. It's designed to plunge deep into the sun's atmosphere sampling solar wind and magnetism. Launch could happen as early as 2015. Planners believe it will solve two great mysteries of astrophysics and make many new discoveries along the way. picked by 2manyusernames 6 months ago

Images of a tsunami blasting its way through the sun's lower atmosphere have been taken for the first time.

NASA's twin STEREO spacecraft captured one of the massive solar waves in action May 19, 2007, as it moved through four layers of the solar atmosphere. picked by AutumnLotus 8 months ago

Astrophysicists are having a heated debate over the wave structure of the Sun’s Corona - a debate which may one day influence solar weather forecasting and the theory behind fusion reactors. The Sun’s core is about 6000 degrees C, but its outer layer, the Corona, which is filled with a strong magnetic field, is 200 to 300 times hotter. picked by AutumnLotus 9 months ago

Samples taken from the Tagish Lake meteorite, discovered in 2000, have revealed evidence of organic matter that predates our Sun and Solar System, according to the study, published in today's edition of the U.S. journal Science. picked by teaya21 2 years ago