'Magnetic Ropes' on the Sun Cause Solar Storms

I always enjoy hearing about new discoveries in space science. I especially enjoy it when we learn more about our Sun. AND I really really enjoy it when it's a discovery made by researchers from my old University and have met in the past.

On the left, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory shows the magnetic rope as the thick looped structure extending above the edge of the sun. On the right, SDO observes as the surrounding cool magnetic field lines are pushed away by the intruding magnetic rope seen on the left. Both images are taken almost simultaneously (within three seconds of each other). [Credit: NASA and GMU]

George Mason University professor Jie Zhang and his graduate student Xin Cheng proved the existence of 'magnetic ropes' that cause solar storms. They used images from NASA Solar Dynamic Observatory (SDO) to solve this blank in the understanding of heliophysics (the physics of the Sun). They presented their findings

Here are press articles from GMU and Space.com that describe a bit about the discovery. Essentially, there is now an understanding of what causes solar storms, a twisting tangle of magnetic fields that can create an immense eruption. Though it was already believed that these ropes could lead to eruptions, this research confirms it.

With this now known, astronomers are a step closer to understanding and predicting solar storms. This will be of a great benefit to just about anyone who relies on electricity. Solar storms have the potential to knock out power grids for extended periods (perhaps years) and cause catastrophic damage.

This sort of solar research is essential for protecting infrastructure and communication around the globe. So, I am thankful for the intelligent work of these researchers and hopefully much more will come. The results of the study were reported at the American Astronomical Society Solar Physics Division Meeting, which is being held from June 12 to 16 at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces.


[You may have noticed I haven't been as active lately. I've been a bit busy planning my 4th of July break, of which I'll likely be gone for a week. I'm looking at leaving for North Carolina's Outer Banks on the 30th. I'll probably make a couple scheduled posts. I have also been filling out job apps like it's my job. Seriously, there has to be a better way than filling in all the same info over and over again on every different website's application form. Oh well, it has gotta get done. Also, I am going to a friends wedding this weekend, so see you all on Monday. Hope you get to enjoy some sun and pleasant weather.]

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Posted in GMU,Magnetic Ropes,SDO,Solar Storms,Sun 19 comments

What I Like This Week.

So I've been doing the things I like every Friday, whether or not astronomy related. Just because, maybe some other people would be interested in those objects too, or maybe to list stuff I might want in the future. There really hasn't been any reason to it. Originally I was just going to do gadgets, but there are already tons of great blogs out there on gadgets.

So this week, I like Dragon Age 2. I got it as an early birthday gift (my birthday is the 24th) and have been losing a couple nights of sleep to it already. It's a pretty fun RPG adventure game. It's got all the dwarves and elves and mages and, of course, dragons one could expect in a game. I'm not going to do a review, I haven't the patience for that, plus I haven't beaten the game.

Also, I have to be honest and say I wussed out in Act 2 while fighting a dragon boss and started playing in casual mode. Eff you dragon, eff you! It's kind of annoying to get you down to a sliver of health and then have my whole party wiped out. Anyways, just know that I like it, and maybe you will to if you are into RPG video games.

So that's all for this weeks what I like. I'm still pretty busy, I am going to go help set up for the neighborhood St. Patrick's Day party tonight. It's also by girlfriend's birthday, so special shout out to her. My alma mater, GMU, won their first round of the NCAA tournament, they are facing number 1 seed Ohio State next, it doesn't look pretty.

I am going to the Applied Physics Lab at Johns Hopkins University tomorrow morning, which I am super excited about, if anyone can think of any questions to ask the MESSENGER team when I meet them before I leave tomorrow, let me know in the comments! Also, keep voting! And on a sadder note, I didn't get the position I applied for at the Space Telescope Science Institute, but hopefully there will be other opportunities in my future.

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Posted in Dragon Age 2,GMU,MESSENGER 23 comments