Latest news with #BostonGlobe
Boston Globe
7 hours ago
- Climate
- Boston Globe
Northern Lights continue to be visible across northern New England to start the week
Monday and Tuesday night Aurora Forecast will extend the view line into Northern New England. Boston Globe The current geomagnetic storm was designated a level 4 out of 5 categories, making it one of the strongest space storms of the year. Advertisement The large field of solar particles and magnetically charged plasma, known as a coronal mass ejection (CME), has weakened since its arrival yesterday but is still forecast to bring a 'strong' storm Monday evening. 'Although the current storm has weakened, its magnetic field has been persistent and quite slow to decrease before the CME leaves Earth behind,' said Shawn Dahl, service coordinator at NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. This means a 'large disturbance in Earth's magnetic field that varies in intensity,' the center said. This level of storm typically brings the viewing line to Central and Northern Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. After Tuesday night, 'nothing significant after the current CME has impacted the longer range forecast just yet,' Dahl said. What are coronal mass ejections? Coronal mass ejections are immense clouds of solar material blasted into space by the sun at more than 1 million miles per hour, often following a solar flare. CMEs expand as they sweep through space, often measuring millions of miles across. Advertisement As CMEs pass Earth, they create a geomagnetic storm — when plasma particles interact with oxygen and nitrogen ions in our upper atmosphere — resulting in the shimmering ribbons of color we call the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis. The collision of the charged particles and atoms in the Earth's atmosphere releases energy, creating visible light. BOSTON GLOBE The peak of Solar Cycle 25 The sun has been the most active we have seen in more than 20 years, dating back to May 2024 when a massive display of the Northern Lights could be seen as far south as Hawaii. This is because we're now experiencing what's known as solar max, the height of an 11-year solar cycle. The solar cycle is a naturally occurring phenomenon in which the sun's magnetic poles switch, causing changes in the sun's magnetic fields that create disruptions on its surface. Peak activity is expected to continue into 2026. You can see the observed and forecast solar activity in the current cycle below. The sun continues to see peak solar activity in the current cycle. NOAA The best strategy to catch the lights With mostly clear skies expected on Monday and Tuesday, there's a chance that you may catch the lights. Here are a few tips to maximize your chances of seeing the display. Make sure to get away from light pollution and look towards the north. Every smartphone has a compass app that can point you in the right direction. The best viewing window is typically during the darkest hours at night, currently from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Head to higher ground. If there is any way to get to higher elevation, your point of view becomes larger, increasing your chances. Break out the cellphone camera. The aurora is not always visible to the naked eye but your cellphone can pick up the wavelengths and capture what you can't see. 'Aim it up toward the sky and take a shot. You may be surprised when you check your phone later to find some beautiful shots,' said Brent Gordon, a scientist with the space weather center. Professional photographers also suggest enabling night mode on your cellphone so it automatically adjusts your camera settings for low-light conditions. In addition, adjust the exposure time to maximize the potential of your shot and make sure that the 'live' setting is off. Advertisement Ken Mahan can be reached at
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump cuts axe Boston Globe archive, academic database from Mass. libraries
Libraries across Massachusetts will be discontinuing access to certain academic databases and The Boston Globe archive by June 1. The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) made the announcement on May 20 after stating that the discontinuance is a result of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) being eliminated via a March 14 executive order signed by President Donald Trump. IMLS has been 'the single largest source of critical funding for libraries,' and it was supposed to allocate $3.6 million, with the help of state programs, to support MBLC for fiscal year 2025. However, following the March 14 executive order, IMLS staff were placed on administrative leave, and the agency had been eliminated from the president's 2026 fiscal year budget, the commissioners wrote. MBLC Director Maureen Amyot addressed the impact of federal uncertainty caused by the executive order, stating that in Massachusetts, over 1,600 school, public, academic and special libraries from across the state benefit from federal IMLS funding. 'The federal impact cannot be overstated. Millions of people rely on federally funded library services,' Amyot said. 'Developing a plan for services in an environment of almost daily federal change has been challenging, but our goal has remained constant: to maintain services that are integral to the functioning of our system and heavily relied on by the people of the Commonwealth.' The purpose of these databases is to offer information on subjects including science, history, health, biographies and more. In 2024, there were more than 9 million full-text downloads from research databases, an increase of 12% from 2023, according to MBLC, adding that 60% of the database usage comes from schools. Some of these statewide database offerings will be 'significantly' reduced starting July 1. However, the MBLC and Massachusetts Library System (MLS), which jointly fund databases, will continue to maintain its most heavily used resources. Boston Globe Article Archive Britannica Moderna Gale Academic OneFile Select Gale General OneFile Gale Health and Wellness Gale in Context: Biography Gale in Context: Elementary Gale in Context: Environmental Studies Gale in Context: Global Issues Gale in Context: Middle School Gale in Context: Science Gale in Context: US History Gale in Context: World History Gale Interactive Science Gale LegalForms Gale Literature Resource Center HeritageQuest Online Peterson's Career Prep Peterson's Test Prep Science Database (ProQuest) Transparent Language Online Britannica Escolar Britannica Library Britannica School Gale Academic OneFile + OneFile Collections Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints PebbleGo Alf Clausen, Emmy-winning composer who wrote music for 'The Simpsons' for 27 years, dies at 84 Longtime Market Basket execs say they expect to be sacked amid company's turmoil Driver 'seriously' hurt after high-speed chase ends in fiery NH crash, police say Newest travel warning says Americans have been kidnapped, ransomed in this country Mass. State Lottery winners: 3 tickets worth $100K won, claimed on Friday Read the original article on MassLive.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Megha Vemuri: MIT student Megha Vemuri torches Israel ties in viral grad speech: 'Won't tolerate genocide...' - The Economic Times Video
Indian-American student Megha Vemuri was barred from attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) commencement ceremony on Friday after a speech in support of Palestine was delivered from the stage during an earlier event. Vemuri, who was scheduled to serve as the marshal for the graduation, was informed of the decision by MIT Chancellor Melissa Nobles on the morning of the ceremony, according to a report by the Boston Globe. 'Participation in Commencement activities is a privilege,' Nobles wrote in an email to Vemuri. 'You deliberately and repeatedly misled Commencement organisers. While we acknowledge your right to free expression, your decision to lead a protest from the stage, disrupting an important institute ceremony, was a violation of MIT's time, place and manner rules for campus expression.' The Boston Globe reported that Vemuri and her family were not allowed on campus for most of the day. Vemuri responded to the email, stating that her speech was indeed a protest but described the response by MIT as 'an overreach.'
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Overreach': Indian-origin Megha Vemuri reacts to MIT's ban on her from commencement event for pro-Palestine speech
Megha Vemuri said MIT's ban on her from the event Friday was an overreach. Megha Vemuri, the class president of MIT 2025, strongly reacted to the administration's decision to ban her from the rest of the commencement event Friday and said the institute's decision was an overreach. Boston Globe reported that Indian-origin Vemuri replied to the email from MIT Chancellor Melissa Nobles that informed her about the ban on her and her family, and disputed that her speech was a protest from the stage. In her mail, Nobles said MIT acknowledges the right to free expression but Vemuri's decision to "lead a protest from the state" was a violation of MIT's time, place and manner rules for campus expression. Vemuri was scheduled to marshal Friday's events but after her Thursday's speech where she slammed MIT for its Israeli ties, she was not allowed at the event. This lead to a protest at the event Friday. MIT clarified that Vemuri gave a different speech to the authorities and caught the administration unawares when she delivered her charge against MIT, expressing solidarity for Palestine. What Vemuri said in her controversial speech Vemuri praised her classmates from the stage and told them "you showed the world that MIT wants a free Palestine". 'You called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and you stood in solidarity with the pro-Palestine activists on campus. You faced threats, intimidation, and suppression coming from all directions, especially your own university officials, but you prevailed because the MIT community that I know would never tolerate a genocide." 'Right now, while we prepare to graduate and move forward with our lives, there are no universities left in are watching Israel try to wipe Palestine off the face of the earth, and it is a shame that MIT is a part of it.' 'This means that Israel's assault on the Palestinian people is not only aided and abetted by our country, but our school. As scientists, engineers, academics, and leaders, we have a commitment to support life, support aid efforts, and call for an arms embargo, and keep demanding, now as alumni, that MIT cuts the ties," Vemuri said. Online trolling of Megha Vemuri from Indian commentators as well MAGA commentators were up in arms against Vemuri as Megyn Kelly called her speech "selfish, self-aggrandizing, disrespectful & RUDE". "So this woman hijacks the MIT graduation to make the whole thing about her personal beliefs about Israel, any insult to the Jewish students or others in attendance be damned. Selfish, self-aggrandizing, disrespectful & RUDE," Kelly wrote. Indian commentators questioned why she wore a keffiyeh in solidarity with Palestine -- being a Hindu and why she did not speak about 'Hindus being tortured in Bangladesh'.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
MIT bars Indian-American student from graduation commencement after pro-Palestine speech
Indian-American student Megha Vemuri was barred from attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) commencement ceremony on Friday after a speech in support of Palestine was delivered from the stage during an earlier event. Vemuri, who was scheduled to serve as the marshal for the graduation, was informed of the decision by MIT Chancellor Melissa Nobles on the morning of the ceremony, according to a report by the Boston Globe. 'Participation in Commencement activities is a privilege,' Nobles wrote in an email to Vemuri. 'You deliberately and repeatedly misled Commencement organizers. While we acknowledge your right to free expression, your decision to lead a protest from the stage, disrupting an important institute ceremony, was a violation of MIT's time, place and manner rules for campus expression.' The Boston Globe reported that Vemuri and her family were not allowed on campus for most of the day. Vemuri responded to the email, stating that her speech was indeed a protest but described the response by MIT as 'an overreach.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm An MIT spokesperson said in a statement that the institute stands by its decision to ban Vemuri from campus. The official also noted that the speech delivered 'was not the one that was provided by the speaker in advance.' (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) The incident drew protest from other students. During the commencement ceremony on Friday, Chancellor Nobles had to pause her speech due to chants from students opposing the decision to bar Vemuri. 'Excuse me, I respect that you have a message to send but this is not the time or place,' Nobles said. 'Today is about our graduates and their families. Please respect them and allow me to continue.' Live Events MORE STORIES FOR YOU ✕ Harvard holds commencement while facing pressure from Trump administration What is social media vetting? The new policy that could decide international students' futures in the US US to revoke visas of Chinese students linked to Chinese Communist Party or critical fields, Marco Rubio announces « Back to recommendation stories I don't want to see these stories because They are not relevant to me They disrupt the reading flow Others SUBMIT In her speech on Thursday, Vemuri criticized MIT's ties with Israel , claiming the institute was 'directly complicit in the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people.' She addressed the graduating class by saying, 'You have faced the obstacle of fear before and you turned it into fuel to stand up for what is right. You showed the world that MIT wants a free Palestine,' which was met with loud applause.
