Source of solar particles that threaten spaceflight and satellites is identified in the sun

Scientists have identified the source in the sun which produces solar energetic particles that threaten crewed spaceflight, near-Earth satellites and airplanes. A team of US researchers analyzed the composition of particles that flew towards Earth in 2014 and found the same ‘fingerprint’ of plasma that is located low in the sun’s chromosphere – its second … Read more

First mass-produced solar power car rolling out in 2021, will retail for $25,900

First mass-produced solar power car is rolling out in 2021: Three-wheeled vehicle will be four times more efficient than electric cars, go up to 110mph and cost just $25,900 Aptera Motors sold out its first batch of pre-orders for the vehicle in December The three-wheel car will be able to go up to 40 miles … Read more

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe snaps a stunning photo of Venus

NASA has revealed a stunning photo of Venus taken by its Parker Solar Probe from 7,693 miles away. The image, taken July 11 last year, is an almost eerie black and white shot of the planet’s nightside – the side facing away from the Sun.  A bright rim around the edge of the planet is … Read more

US Navy tests orbiting solar panel that could one day beam power anywhere on Earth

A pizza box sized solar panel in orbit is producing enough electricity to power an iPad, according to a succesful test of the technology by the US Navy.  The Photovoltaic Radiofrequency Antenna Module (PRAM) was launched in May 2020 attached to a drone that loops around the Earth every 90 minutes and is designed to harness … Read more

Planet Nine: Unusual orbits detected in the outer solar system may be an ILLUSION, study claims 

There is probably no ‘Planet Nine’ at the edge of the solar system, astronomers claim, after a study found unusual orbits used to predict its existence ‘may be an illusion’. Experts from the University of Michigan examined the results of a number of solar system surveys to look for evidence of the long-theorised ‘super Earth’ … Read more

Meet ‘Farfarout’: Astronomers confirm our solar system’s most distant planetoid

Astronomers have confirmed our solar system’s most distant planetary object, nicknamed Farfarout, is almost four times farther from the Sun than Pluto is. Pluto, the dwarf planet, resides around 3.1 billion miles from the Sun, while Farfarout is an incredible 12.2 billion miles from the Sun. Officially called 2018 AG37 but affectionately referred to as Farfarout, the … Read more

The best places to visit in 2021, from Japan during the Olympics to Antarctica for the solar eclipse

After nine months of ever-changing rules and disruption, many of us will be happy just to travel somewhere safe, sunny and hassle-free this year. In fact, 2021 promises to be a bumper one for great things to see and do with plenty of new openings, anniversaries and sports and cultural events planned. With fingers firmly … Read more

Solar eclipse: Parts of Chile and Argentina plunged into darkness as the moon obscures Sun

Parts of South America were plunged into darkness yesterday by a spectacular solar eclipse caused by the moon passing between the Sun and the Earth. Thousands of people in Argentina and southern Chile turned their heads to the sky to watch the event, which began at 1 pm (4 pm GMT) and lasted around 2 … Read more

The top green investment trusts: Earn income of more than 5% from wind and solar projects

The second in a series of articles investigating growth sectors, developing technologies and niche themes that adventurous private investors can back in their Isas – and how they might do so. The first, on open-ended funds in the environmental sector, is here. The UK’s energy mix is in the process of transitioning from coal and gas … Read more