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CTV News
5 days ago
- CTV News
Climate pollution is making GPS and communications satellites even more vulnerable to solar storms
A worker points to a monitor displaying current satellites in orbit and real-time communications across the globe at the Iridium Communications Inc. Satellite Network Operations Center in Leesburg, Virginia. (Justin Ide/Bloomberg/Getty Images via CNN Newsource) Satellites, including those used for GPS and communications, will face greater risks in coming decades during solar-triggered geomagnetic storms because of the effect climate pollution has on Earth's atmosphere, a new study found. The increasing volume of planet-warming carbon dioxide in the upper atmosphere is likely to make the air less dense, while geomagnetic storms have the opposite effect: The ensuing rapid changes in density as a result could cause serious troubles for satellite operations. This study, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, comes at a time when the world is growing more dependent on satellite networks for everything from internet access to navigation, as well as military applications. Geomagnetic storms occur when charged particles from the Sun interact with the Earth's upper atmosphere. Their most visible impact is the auroras that light up the sky with green, purple and pink light. But strong storms can wreak havoc on satellite operations and communication. They can increase how dense the air is in these thin upper layers, making it difficult for satellites to maintain their speed and altitude and potentially make them sink, cutting down on their operational lifetimes. Geomagnetic storms later this century that are of similar intensity to those today will cause bigger spikes in atmospheric density because Earth's upper atmosphere will be less dense overall, the researchers found, using a supercomputer to model changes in the entirety of Earth's atmosphere. 'For the satellite industry, this is an especially important question because of the need to design satellites for specific atmospheric conditions,' lead author Nicholas Pedatella of the National Center for Atmospheric Research told CNN. A less dense atmosphere means satellites in the future would experience less drag, and that could lengthen their lifespan — and would also exacerbate the problem of more space junk in low Earth orbit, Pedatella said. Future storms could sink satellites Scientists already knew that the upper atmosphere is likely to become less dense as the climate warms, with a lower concentration of non-ionized particles such as oxygen and nitrogen. It's partly because of how higher concentrations of carbon dioxide affect temperatures in the upper atmosphere, which in turn affects the density of the air. But this study breaks new ground by showing how much the atmosphere's density could change during strong geomagnetic storms. The researchers used last May's strong geomagnetic storm as a case study. At that time, a series of powerful coronal mass ejections from the Sun interacted with the Earth's atmosphere, disrupting and even damaging satellites and leading to brilliant displays of the Northern Lights unusually far south. St. Mary's lighthouse in Whitley Bay People visit St. Mary's lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, in May 2024 in Whitley Bay, England. (via CNN Newsource) The scientists analyzed how the atmosphere would respond to the same event in different years: 2040, 2061 and 2084. To perform the experiment, they used a supercomputer that can simulate the entirety of the Earth's atmosphere, including the thinner, upper layers, to show how changes in the composition of the lower levels can alter the characteristics at much higher altitudes. The researchers found that by later this century, the upper atmosphere would be 20 per cent to 50 per cent less dense at the peak of a solar storm similar to the 2024 event. The relative change would be greater, going from a doubling of density during such an event to a potential tripling. Such a rapid throttling up of atmospheric density could damage critical satellite networks and thereby cause problems for society at the Earth's surface. The bigger the spike, the bigger the impact on a satellite's orbit, Pedatella told CNN: 'If you have a really big increase in density, then the satellite kind of comes down closer to Earth.' The satellites being designed today need to take these climate change-related impacts into account, rather than basing their engineering on historical calculations, he added. 'You would think, 'Okay, for this magnitude of a (geomagnetic) storm, I would expect this density response.' But in 30 years from now, that magnitude of storm will have a potentially different magnitude of response,' Pedatella said. By Andrew Freedman, CNN
Winnipeg Free Press
05-08-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
A livestream of deep sea creatures transfixes Argentina and sparks calls for refunding science
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Transparent-faced fish drift through dusky waters. Snowlike flecks of dead plants sift down from the world above. Soft sponges peek through the soot of the seafloor. Only occasional mutters among marine biologists break the thick silence. And somehow, this livestream of sea life in the South Atlantic feels like it has everyone in Argentina watching — or talking and making memes about it. The group of Argentine and American researchers behind this remotely operated vehicle filming life-forms 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) undersea told The Associated Press on Monday that they couldn't have imagined that their expedition would become such a sensation. It has attracted more than 1.6 million views a day on YouTube, dominating TV news broadcasts and even sparking a national conversation about the defunding of Argentine science under libertarian President Javier Milei. 'It was a huge surprise for us,' said expedition leader Daniel Lauretta. 'It's something that fills our hearts because we want to spread the word. Perhaps there are young people who are learning, maybe we're awakening some scientific curiosity.' The vast array of creatures glimpsed via high-definition camera include a placid starfish so orange it evokes Patrick of 'SpongeBob SquarePants' cartoon fame, a sea cucumber reminiscent of a sweet potato, a deep sea crab that looks like a hairy spider. The images have created a sense of collective wonder at the mysteries of the deep sea — and with it, a hearty dose of anthropomorphism as viewers assign zodiac stars to invertebrate and take social media quizzes along the lines of 'Which deep sea creature are you based on how you handle stress?' (If you ignore the world you're a translucent squid, if you explode with anger you're apparently a pistol shrimp). Often peaking at 50,000 simultaneous viewers, the livestream began last week and runs everyday until Aug. 10 for up to 10 hours as the scientists map the little-researched submarine gorge off the coast of Buenos Aires, collecting samples and identifying scores of new species. 'The clarity was incredible. The colors, the zoom capability — that really amazed me,' Lauretta said. 'I think that feeling reached the public too.' The project is a collaboration between scientists mostly from Conicet, Argentina's leading scientific funding and research body, and the Schmidt Ocean Institute Foundation, a nonprofit set up by Google's former executive chairman Eric E. Schmidt to advance oceanographic research. The expedition has also inspired pride in Argentine research at a time when Milei is slashing spending on science in a drive to eliminate Argentina's chronic fiscal deficit. Researchers and fellows from Conicet have sought to seize on the attention by calling for a 48-hour nationwide strike Wednesday. 'Argentines are very passionate about everything that happens in Argentina,' said Georgina Valanci, 40, who seemed mesmerized by the livestream while crocheting on Monday. 'I think it represents a bit of the pride that something like this is being done in our country.' Milei dissolved the Ministry of Science and Technology after coming to power in late 2023. Conicet suffered a 21% budget cut in real terms last year. Salaries for Conicet researchers have lost 35% of their value in recent months. Industry estimates show state-funded science and technology organizations losing 3,400 jobs in the last year and a half. Each day as the video shows sea stars regenerating arms or amoeba engulfing prey, comments pop up expressing support for Conicet in real time. 'Long live Conicet!' several users posted on Monday.
Toronto Sun
03-08-2025
- Toronto Sun
Patrick Star and 'Drag Queen' crab: underwater robot livestream captivates Argentines
Published Aug 02, 2025 • 3 minute read The broadcast of this dark, cold, and vibrant underwater universe has gone viral Photo by Handout / Schmidt Ocean Institute / ROV SuBastian/AFP MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina — A robot explores the dark, cold, deep sea floor of the South Atlantic, transmitting images of vibrant coral and fish never seen before as scientists give live commentary via YouTube. And Argentines can't get enough of it. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Argentine-American scientific mission is for the first time exploring the Mar del Plata canyon, a submarine gorge which plunges nearly 4,000 metres (13,000 feet) deep, off the coast of the seaside resort of the same name. The awed conversations between scientists leading the expedition and the explanations they give to viewers allow the public a rare insight into the hidden wonders of marine biology. In one instance, the camera on the SuBastian underwater robot shows a weird-looking, little white animal. One of the scientists on the team can be heard asking her colleagues, 'Do we want it?' 'Yes, yes, we want it!' reply dozens of messages in the livestream chat before the image shows the suction device being activated to suck up the specimen for study. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Oh, I love these little creatures,' says one user. 'I'm obsessed!' comments another. 'Don't take the little one away!' pleads a third. The livestream began a week ago and exceeded one million views per day since Thursday, when it also began to be broadcast on television. 'There are cold-water corals with the same colours as those in the Caribbean. How can that be? At a depth of 3,000 metres!' Pablo Penchaszadeh, a marine biologist and painter who is on board the expedition as an artist, told AFP. Patrick Star The 20-day expedition 'Underwater Oases of the Mar del Plata Canyon' involves 25 scientists — most of them from the Argentine research agency CONICET. Part of the GEMPA deep sea study group, with support from the U.S. Schmidt Ocean Institute, it will end on Aug. 10. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute's 'Falkor (too)' ship, scientists remotely operate the robot, which can descend to a depth of 4,500 metres (14,700 feet). They collect biological samples with its robotic arms and other instruments, and send back high-definition images. 'The fact that anyone can connect from home and see what we are seeing live is a unique opportunity,' explains expedition leader Daniel Lauretta in a statement. 'Science is no longer something distant or inaccessible, but becomes part of everyday life.' This week, social media users were delighted when an orange starfish with two symmetrical bumps resembling buttocks appeared on the livestream. It quickly prompted comparisons with Patrick Star, from the popular animated series SpongeBob SquarePants. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Memes circulated joking that 'Patrick is Argentine,' marine biology became a trending topic on social media, and the broadcast reached the screens of hundreds of thousands of captivated viewers. 'I came to see the big-bottomed star, is it here?' asked one user upon entering the YouTube chat. Spectators also gave other sea creatures nicknames: a king crab was dubbed 'Drag Queen,' and sea cucumber was fondly called 'Sweet Potato.' 'Beacon of light' This is the first time that human eyes — albeit remotely — have seen this underwater oasis in real time, where the cold, nutrient-rich Malvinas current and warm, salty Brazil current converge. The confluence is 'one of the most energetic regions in our global Ocean,' according to the website of the Schmidt Institute, with the temperature difference creating an area teeming with marine wildlife and flora. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We are already seeing incredible things: animals that have never been recorded in this area, underwater landscapes that look like something from another planet, and behaviors that surprise even the most experienced scientists,' said Lauretta. But funding for such expeditions is under threat in Argentina. CONICET, the government's scientific research arm, has been severely underfunded by libertarian President Javier Milei, who has implemented draconian cuts to public spending with his infamous 'chainsaw.' Its budget fell by 21% last year, salaries have plummeted by 35% since the Milei took office in December 2023, and the cuts have led to an exodus of scientists. As a result, in between 'oohs' and 'aahs' of wonder, messages of support are flooding the livestream's chat: 'Long live Conicet!' 'Seeing people being passionate about their job is attractive,' said Tomas Atilio Luppi, a biologist at the CONICET-affiliated marine and coastal research institute in Mar del Plata, who is not directly involved in the campaign. 'This is happening at a very difficult time,' he told AFP of the popular broadcast. 'Science is in a very complicated position, both financially and in terms of support and human resources.' 'The fact that this craze is happening is like a beacon of light.' Toronto Blue Jays Columnists Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA Columnists
