Physics and Astronomy News Archive: September 2005

Spacecraft Pick up Earthly Aurora

Source: NASA Posted: 9/20/05

A spectacular UV view of the aurora australis (Southern lights) was taken by the Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) spacecraft on Sept. 11.

How We'll Get Back to the Moon

Source: NASA Posted: 9/20/05

Before the end of the next decade, NASA astronauts will again explore the surface of the moon. And this time, we're going to stay, building outposts and paving the way for eventual journeys to Mars and beyond.

Spin Structure of Protons and Neutrons

Source: JLab Posted: 9/20/05

A new theoretical calculation reveals that the spins of quarks may be modified by the environment of the protons and neutrons.

Hurricanes Are Getting Stronger, Study Says

Source: UCar Posted: 9/20/05

The number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes worldwide has nearly doubled over the past 35 years, even though the total number of hurricanes has dropped since the 1990s, according to a study.

Gamma-Ray Burst Smashes a Record

Source: NSF Posted: 9/14/05

Astronomers have used a close collaboration between space-based and ground-based telescopes to detect the most distant cosmic explosion yet seen: a gamma-ray burst from the edge of the visible universe.

Superlattice Nanobelts

Source: Gatech Posted: 9/14/05

A previously-unknown zinc oxide nanostructure that resembles the helical configuration of DNA could provide engineers with a new building block for creating nanometer-scale sensors, transducers, resonators and other devices that rely on electromechanical coupling.

Novel Material May Demonstrate Long-Sought 'Liquid' Magnetic State

Source: NIST Posted: 9/14/05

A novel material that may demonstrate a highly unusual 'liquid' magnetic state at extremely low temperatures has been discovered by a team of Japanese and U.S. researchers.