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Mysterious Northern Lights Understood
People have long marveled at the majestic and mysterious northern lights that light up the skies over the polar regions of countries like Canada and in Scandinavia. Scientists have known for years that these undulating auroras are caused by a storm of charged particles high above Earth. And although a sight to behold, the forces triggering these lights can endanger satellites and air travelers near the poles. But researchers were in the dark about just what forces acted on these so-called magnetic substorms to produce the shimmering lightshows that dazzle us—until now.
Scientists have debated for decades whether local electrical disruptions in Earth's magnetic field or far-flung happenings in the so-called magnetotail (the tapering region of the magnetic field that points away from the sun) lead to the flare-ups of these substorms and their associated auroras.
Researchers say they were able to pinpoint the source by using measurements of magnetic fields recorded by five satellites that were sent into space as part of NASA's THEMIS (Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms) project, which is designed to track "space weather" events called substorms as they unfold. The answer: these substorms form when Earth's magnetic field lines collapse on each other, showering the upper atmosphere with captured radiation from the sun where it sparks the auroras primarily over Earth's polar regions known as the northern and southern lights (aka the aurora borealis and aurora australis, respectively).
"Charged particles from the sun blow up Earth's magnetic tail like a balloon, and then for some reason the balloon leaks," says study co-author Stephen Mende, a physicist at the University of California, Berkeley.
You can read more by clicking the link- it's a multi page story or by visiting the links below
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct=:ePkh8BM9E2...
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct=:ePkh8BM9E2...
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct=:ePkh8BM9E2...
Please join the conversation by commenting below. People have long marveled at the majestic and mysterious northern lights that light up the skies over the polar regions of countries l... more -
Watch the Climate Change on your Flat Screen TV
Nitrogen trifluoride is a greenhouse gas that’s used to make flat-screen televisions and computer screens. The crux of the problem with NF3 is that it has 17,000 times more destructive atmospheric potential than carbon dioxide. Production of the gas has grown to 4,000 tons per year and is expected to double by next year.
Nitrogen trifluoride is a greenhouse gas that’s used to make flat-screen televisions and computer screens. The crux of the problem wit... more -
2008 Monolith Festival
Vampire Weekend, Justice, Atmosphere, The Cribs, TV on the Radio, Band of Horses and more will be rocking the beautiful Red Rocks Amphitheater September 13th and 14th this year. There will be over 50 artists and 5 stages for them to throw down on!
Just a few miles outside of Denver, Colorado, Red Rocks has been voted time and time again as the best outdoor venue. Check out the 2nd annual festival if you can. 2-day passes are $110 and single day passes are $60. Vampire Weekend, Justice, Atmosphere, The Cribs, TV on the Radio, Band of Horses and more will be rocking the beautiful Red Rocks Amph... more -
US technology capable of manipulating the ion ratios to change human behaviour
This website explains in detail how the US government can create "Geomagnetic Storms" which can alter mood in predictable ways. Why? To create desired stock market changes!
U.S. Patent 4999637: Creation Of Artificial Ionization Clouds Above The Earth
Click here for your daily ion forecast
http://www.superforce.com/
+/- ion ratios can change behaviour
Click here to learn how ion altering technology may have effected the
http://www.superforce.com/email-releases/HAARP.htm
Opening of the Stock Markets on Sept 24, 2001 (pictured above)
This website explains in detail how the US government can create "Geomagnetic Storms" which can alter mood in predictable ways. Why? T... more -
Chaiten Volcano active since May 6th
Chaiten Volcano in Chile continues to erupt, after its recent eruption on May 6th, - its first activity in over 9,000 years. (12 crazy ass photos in total) Chaiten Volcano in Chile continues to erupt, after its recent eruption on May 6th, - its first activity in over 9,000 years. (12 crazy... more
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Tiniest extrasolar planet found
Astronomers have sighted the smallest extrasolar planet yet orbiting a normal star - a distant world just three times the size of our own.
Discovering a planet with a similar mass to that of Earth is considered the "holy grail" of research into planets that lie outside our Solar System.
It is vital because researchers want to find other worlds that could host life.
The planet orbits a star which is itself of such low mass it may in fact be a "failed star", or brown dwarf.
Astronomers found the new world using a technique called gravitational microlensing. This takes advantage of the fact that light is bent as the rays pass close to a massive object, like a star.
The planet, called MOA-2007-BLG-192Lb, is about 3.3 times the size of Earth. Some researchers have suggested the planet could have a thick atmosphere and have even speculated there could be a liquid ocean on its surface. Astronomers have sighted the smallest extrasolar planet yet orbiting a normal star - a distant world just three times the size of our ... more -
'Recycle' Waste Energy
"For every three units of fuel — like coal, natural gas or oil — that are burned to make electricity, two are lost in the process, most of it as waste heat that just drifts away, says [Tom] Casten, who is chairman of Recycled Energy Development, a company that works with industrial clients to capture waste heat to produce clean electricity."
"With rising fuel prices taking a bigger bite out of the profits of the nation's manufacturers, Casten says many of them could save a lot of money, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, by capturing that waste heat and recycling it to produce power.
'There are many industrial processes that emit high-temperature exhaust," he explains. "You can use that high-temperature energy to boil water, make steam, and drive an electric generator.'"
"That's according to Casten, and the comparison shows that with the clamor to go green and use solar and wind power, there's vast potential in energy recycling that is available right now. Energy recycling saves ArcelorMittal tens of millions of dollars a year in energy costs, and the company says it reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 1.3 million tons a year."
"This type of energy recycling is commonplace in Northern Europe and Japan (it's one of the reasons ArcelorMittal is actively utilizing the technology in its U.S. plants). Denmark generates close to 55 percent of its electricity this way. In the Netherlands and Finland, the figure is closer to 40 percent, and in Germany it is 35 percent. But in the U.S., energy recycling accounts for just 8 percent of the nation's electrical power, according to the U.S. Department of Energy."
"So why isn't it done more often here?"
David Schaper, National Public Radio "For every three units of fuel — like coal, natural gas or oil — that are burned to make electricity, two are lost in the process, mos... more -
The Daily Hotness: Slug From Atmosphere
I love this post because of the cool text link to Atmosphere's site where you can paint any website gold.. really cool try it http://www.paintthatshitgold.com/ I love this post because of the cool text link to Atmosphere's site where you can paint any website gold.. really cool try it http:/... more
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Texas Street Artist 'Give Up'
Texas Street Artist 'Give Up' talks about who he is and the message behind his work. Give Up's work is currently showing at Aerosol Warfare Gallery in Houston, Texas.
video by PR!MO Texas Street Artist 'Give Up' talks about who he is and the message behind his work. Give Up's work is currently showing at Aerosol Wa... more -
Eco-Friendly Spray Paint?
I really love my spray paint, but in my struggle to do my part i realized that my spray paint has Aerosol in it which i believe i learned in like the 7th grade that Aerosol eats away at the O-zone layer. I wuld really like to keep spraypainting and doing my art, but is there and eco-friendly spray paint. If so Let me know please. I really love my spray paint, but in my struggle to do my part i realized that my spray paint has Aerosol in it which i believe i lear... more
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Atmosphere For Free
Underground hip-hop duo, Atmosphere, rewards their listeners with free music downloads recommended for first dates, crappy house parties, or to play in the background while you google yourself again. Underground hip-hop duo, Atmosphere, rewards their listeners with free music downloads recommended for first dates, crappy house part... more
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Source of Aurora Borealis discovered
NASA's Themis satellites observed charged particles (Ions) from the sun tangling with magnetic fields in our atmosphere and releasing massive amounts of energy. NASA's Themis satellites observed charged particles (Ions) from the sun tangling with magnetic fields in our atmosphere and releasing ... more
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Ecospot: Second Place Winner: Are You Game
A fast-paced, green-themed party game, in which 6 friends race against time to discover common solutions to the climate crisis.
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Origin of Earths atmosphere discovered
Without it, we'd be just another rock in space...
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Atmosphere
