The rail service here in the UK is often the brunt of jokes. If it’s not the wrong type of rain, or the leaves are laying on the tracks the wrong way then it’s some other seemingly ludicrous reason that the trains are delayed, or even cancelled. A recent study by scientists at the University of Lancaster suggest that even the solar wind might cause train signals to be incorrectly triggered with potentially disastrous consequences.
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Solar storms could affect train safety by glitching railroad signals
Rare but explosive solar eruptions may cause train signals to switch the wrong way, affecting train safety, a new study finds.
We've Entered a New Era: The Lunar Anthropocene
For almost half a century, the term “Anthropocene” has been informally used to describe the current geological epoch. The term acknowledges how human agency has become the most significant factor when it comes to changes in Earth’s geology, landscape, ecosystems, and climate. According to a new study by a team of geologists and anthropologists, this same term should be extended to the Moon in recognition of humanity’s exploration (starting in the mid-20th century) and the growing impact our activities will have on the Moon’s geology and the landscape in the near future.
NASA's Voyager 1 probe in interstellar space can't phone home (again) due to glitch
Voyager 1 is currently unable to transmit any scientific or systems data back to Earth. The 46-year-old NASA spacecraft is capable of receiving commands, but a problem seems to have arisen with the probe's computers.
The Positions of Stars on an Ancient Navigation Device Tell us When it was Made
Astrolabes serve two purposes. First, they are useful as an astronomical tool, especially for finding a ship’s latitude. But second, they are works of art in themselves. Besides having to be precise, many are beautiful. They are even seeing a resurgence in popularity as collectors lap up even those made by modern manufacturing processes because of their aesthetic appeal. Now, a new paper adds to their uses – a self-referential ability to mark what year they were made by the patterns of the stars they reference.
Relive Artemis 1 Orion's fiery return from the moon in this amazing video
Just over a year ago, NASA's Artemis 1 Orion capsule returned to Earth in a blaze of glory, which the spacecraft captured on video.
Review: Unistellar’s eQuinox 2 Telescope and New Smart Solar Filter
I recently had the chance to try out one of Unistellar’s smart telescopes, the eQuinox 2. Unparalleled in its ease of use, I was literally viewing distant nebula, galaxies, and star clusters within 15 minutes of opening the box.
China lofts Yaogan spy satellites on 500th Long March rocket launch (video)
A fifth group of three Yaogan-39 satellites launched over the weekend, on a mission that marked the 500th liftoff for China's Long March family of rockets.
Three Baby Stars Found at the Heart of the Milky Way
The core of our Milky Way is buzzing with stars. Recently astronomers reported that it contains at least one ancient star that formed outside our galaxy. Now, an international research team reports finding a grouping of very young ones there, as well. Their presence upends ideas about star birth in that densely packed region of space.
December's new moon allows the Geminid meteor shower to shine tonight
The new moon of December 2023 offers skywatchers dark skies for catching the Geminid meteor shower, one of the year's best celestial spectacles.
Blue Origin will return to flight with uncrewed mission on Dec. 18
Blue Origin plans to end its 15-month spaceflight hiatus with an uncrewed mission of its New Shepard suborbital vehicle on Dec. 18.
Cats and dogs in space! Pets crash onto an alien planet in 'Man's Best' miniseries (exclusive)
What happens when emotional support pets have to rescue their owners? Find out in Boom! Studios' "Man's Best" comic book miniseries arriving in 2024.
How 'Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora' expands the exotic alien world of the movies
The video game "Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora" presents a stunning recreation of Pandora as seen in the movies. But how does it expand on what we already know?
'Star Trek: Discovery' Season 5 snippet shows Burnham battling giant, invisible bugs
By the looks of the new cast photograph, everyone in "Star Trek: Discovery" has returned for this, the fifth and final season.
Cassiopeia A: A Festive Supernova Remnant
New near-infrared observations from the Webb telescope reveal intricate strands of debris from the exploded star.
Intergalactic 'stream of stars' 10 times longer than the Milky Way is the 1st of its kind ever spotted
While hunting for dark matter, astronomers accidentally discovered the first known stellar stream stretching between galaxies. The trail of stars is also the longest ever seen.
SETI is searching for alien life at previously unexplored frequencies
Despite the seemingly boundless expanse of the universe, which implies there’s potential for abundant life, the vast distances between stars render the search akin to locating a needle in a cosmic haystack.
Permafrost thaw: a silent menace
Video: 00:05:47
Ice is without doubt one of the first casualties of climate change, but the effects of our warming world are not only limited to ice melting on Earth’s surface. Ground that has been frozen for thousands of years, called permafrost, is thawing – adding to the climate crisis and causing serious issues for local communities.
SpaceX scrubs Falcon Heavy's X-37B space plane launch due to ground issue
SpaceX scrubbed Monday's (Dec. 11) planned Falcon Heavy launch of the US military's X-37B space plane, citing a 'ground side issue.'
Astronaut shows off vintage Nobel Prize in space — and talks 'quantum dots' ISS experiment (video)
A quantum experiment, based on a Nobel Prize work, is mounted outside the International Space Station. The new Nobel laureate called the ISS to talk about it all.
Exomoons Defy Discovery
For a long time, we wondered if other stars hosted planets like the Sun does. Finally, in the 1990s, we got our answer. Now, another question lingers.
