Latest news with #Fahrenheit
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- General
- Yahoo
New Imaging Technique Makes the Sun Look Like a Swirling Pink Liquid
A swirling sea of pink, where fluffy tufts float majestically upward, while elsewhere violet plumes rain down from above. This is the Sun as seen in groundbreaking new images — and they're unlike anything you've ever laid eyes on. As detailed in a new study published in the journal Nature Astronomy, scientists have leveraged new coronal adaptive optics tech to bypass the blurriness caused by the turbulence of the Earth's atmosphere, a time-old obstacle that's frustrated astronomers' attempts to see features on our home star at a resolution better than 620 miles. Now, they've gotten it down to just under 40 miles — a light year sized leap. The result is some of the clearest images to date of the fine structures that make up the Sun's formidable corona, the outermost layer of its atmosphere known for its unbelievable temperatures and violent, unpredictable outbursts. The authors are optimistic that their blur-bypassing techniques will be a game-changer. "These are by far the most detailed observations of this kind, showing features not previously observed, and it's not quite clear what they are," coauthor Vasyl Yurchyshyn, a research professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology's Center for Terrestrial Research (CSTR), said in a statement about the work. "It is super exciting to build an instrument that shows us the Sun like never before," echoed lead author Dirk Schmidt, an adaptive optics scientist at the US National Solar Observatory. Stretching for millions of miles into space, the corona is the staging ground for the Sun's violent outbursts, which range from solar storms, to solar flares, to coronal mass ejections. One reason scientists are interested in these phenomena is because they continue to batter our own planet's atmosphere, playing a significant role in the Earth's climate and wreaking havoc on our electronics. Then, at a reach totally beyond our very limited human purview, is the corona's mighty solar wind, which sweeps across the entire solar system, shielding it from cosmic rays. But astronomers are still trying to understand how these solar phenomena occur. One abiding mystery is why the corona can reach temperatures in the millions of degrees Fahrenheit, when the Sun's surface it sits thousands of miles above is no more than a relatively cool 10,000 degrees. The conundrum even has a name: the coronal heating problem. The level of detailed captured in the latest images, taken with an adaptive optics system installed on the Goode Solar Telescope at the CSTR, could be transformative in probing these mysteries. One type of feature the unprecedented resolution revealed were solar prominences, which are large, flashy structures that protrude from the sun's surface, found in twisty shapes like arches or loops. A spectacular video shows a solar prominence swirling like a tortured water spout as it's whipped around by the sun's magnetic field. Most awe-inspiring of all are the examples of what's known as coronal rain. Appearing like waterfalls suspended in midair, the phenomenon is caused as plasma cools and condenses into huge globs before crashing down to the sun's surface. These were imaged at a scale smaller than 100 kilometers, or about 62 miles. In solar terms, that's pinpoint accuracy. "With coronal adaptive optics now in operation, this marks the beginning of a new era in solar physics, promising many more discoveries in the years and decades to come," said coauthor Philip R. Goode at the CSTR in a statement. More on our solar system: Scientists Detect Mysterious Object in Deep Solar System
Observer
18 hours ago
- Observer
No permit, no haj: Saudi intensifies crackdown
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is ramping up a crackdown on unregistered worshippers at next week's haj pilgrimage, a year after hundreds perished in scorching conditions. Regular raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts are aimed at rooting out unauthorised visitors hoping to mingle among the crowds in and around the holy city of Mecca. The simple message, "No haj without a permit", is being blared out in a relentless campaign promoted nationwide at shopping centres, on billboards and across media platforms. Last year, 1,301 pilgrims, most of them unregistered and lacking access to air-conditioned tents and buses, died as temperatures soared to 51.8 degrees Celsius (125.2 degrees Fahrenheit). "Since the end of last season, we realised the biggest challenge is preventing unauthorised pilgrims from undermining the success of the haj season," said one official helping organise the haj, requesting anonymity. The haj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be completed by all Muslims with the means at least once. Yet official permits are allocated to countries through a quota system and distributed to individuals via a lottery. Even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs make the irregular route — which costs thousands of dollars less — more attractive. Saudi officials said 83 per cent of those who died last year did not have official haj permits. Temperatures of up to 44 °C (111 °F) are forecast next week. Security forces have also raided hundreds of apartments in search of people hiding out in the area. An Egyptian engineer living in Mecca, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said his building was raided multiple times in recent weeks. "Police officers in uniform came to my home twice and asked to see my wife's and my residency permits," he said. "Almost everywhere, we're being asked to show residency or work permits in Mecca. The security presence is unprecedented." Hundreds of thousands of people are believed to have used family and tourist visas, instead of the designated haj visa, to enter the country each year. Meanwhile, fines for an illicit haj have doubled to 20,000 Saudi riyals ($5,333), with violators facing a 10-year ban from the country. Those found to be harbouring and helping unauthorised pilgrims can be fined up to 100,000 riyals ($26,666). "All of this is aimed at ensuring that Mecca is reserved exclusively for authorised pilgrims during the Haj season," the official added. — AFP
Newsweek
20 hours ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Map Shows 6 States Where People Told To Stay Out of Sun
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An extreme heat wave prompted the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue advisories affecting millions of people across at least five U.S. states—California, Nevada, Montana, Oregon, Arizona and Idaho—with officials warning residents to stay indoors and avoid sun exposure as temperatures soar above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Why It Matters Heat advisories and extreme heat warnings issued by the NWS could impact public health and critical infrastructure in affected regions. High temperatures—combined with little overnight relief—raised the risk of heat exhaustion, heatstroke and wildfires. Vulnerable groups, including children, older adults and those working or living without air conditioning, face heightened danger. What To Know The NWS Heat Advisory and Extreme Heat Warning maps confirmed warnings for broad portions of California and parts of Nevada. Although these areas often see temperatures in the triple digits during the summer, this is one of the first heat waves of the season and some people might be unprepared. In California, dangerous heat was forecast for the Sacramento Valley, Central Valley and inland counties, with the NWS Sacramento office projecting temperatures up to 107. Central California cities—including Merced, Bakersfield and Tulare—faced highs of 106, while the southern valleys and mountainous zones were expected to see heat reaching the low 100s. The sun rises in California. The sun rises in California. johnemac72/Getty Southern Nevada—including Las Vegas, Pahrump and Death Valley—was placed under an Extreme Heat Watch, with highs between 104 and 115, according to the NWS Las Vegas office. Extreme heat warnings also stretched into northwest Arizona. The heat wave spread to Oregon, Idaho and Montana, sparking warnings in the northern states. Along with staying out of the sun, people were advised to wear lightweight clothing and stay hydrated. Authorities cautioned that the risk of heat-related illness—dizziness, nausea, heavy sweating—would be elevated, especially during afternoon and early evening hours. In addition, NWS officials warned about leaving pets and children unattended in vehicles and noted the increased risk of wildfires because of low humidity and winds. Hospitals and emergency services in California and Nevada anticipated a possible surge in heat-related medical cases. Michelle Shahbon, emergency room manager at Shasta Regional Medical Center, previously told Newsweek that their team expected an uptick in patients and advised residents to stay hydrated and limit outdoor exposure during peak sunlight hours. What People Are Saying NWS meteorologist Brian Conlan, who works at the Missoula, Montana, office, told Newsweek: "While this is probably abnormal for us, many locations are going to be 15, 20, and in some places 25 degrees above normal, it has happened before. Most of the areas that may see their records broken, those records were set in '86." An NWS forecast issued on Friday: " ... record high temperatures will be threatened across interior northern California today, expanding into the Great Basin, Idaho, and as far north as western Montana on Saturday. The anticipated heat in the Southwest for the next couple of days has led to the issuance of Extreme Heat Warnings for the dangerous heat for portions of southernmost Nevada, southeast California, and northwestern most Arizona." What Happens Next The heat wave is expected to last through the weekend and it's likely that updates will continue to be issued by the NWS. It's possible that the heat wave could break records in some areas and is coming earlier than expected in some states.
Int'l Business Times
a day ago
- Int'l Business Times
No Permit, No Hajj: Saudi Intensifies Crackdown After Heat Deaths
Saudi Arabia is ramping up a crackdown on unregistered worshippers at next week's hajj pilgrimage, a year after hundreds perished in scorching conditions. Regular raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts are aimed at rooting out unauthorised visitors hoping to mingle among the crowds in and around the holy city of Mecca. The simple message, "No hajj without a permit", is being blared out in a relentless campaign promoted nationwide at shopping centres, on billboards and across media platforms. Last year, 1,301 pilgrims, most of them unregistered and lacking access to air-conditioned tents and buses, died as temperatures soared to 51.8 degrees Celsius (125.2 degrees Fahrenheit). "Since the end of last season, we realised the biggest challenge is preventing unauthorised pilgrims from undermining the success of the hajj season," said one official helping organise the hajj, requesting anonymity. The hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be completed by all Muslims with the means at least once. Yet official permits are allocated to countries through a quota system and distributed to individuals via a lottery. Even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs make the irregular route -- which costs thousands of dollars less -- more attractive. Saudi officials said 83 percent of those who died last year did not have official hajj permits. Temperatures of up to 44C (111F) are forecast next week. To seek out unregistered pilgrims, Saudi authorities have rolled out a new fleet of drones to monitor entrances into Mecca. Security forces have also raided hundreds of apartments in search of people hiding out in the area. An Egyptian engineer living in Mecca, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said his building was raided multiple times in recent weeks. "Police officers in uniform came to my home twice and asked to see my and my wife's residency permits," he told AFP. "Almost everywhere, we're being asked to show residency or work permits in Mecca. The security presence is unprecedented." The problem of illicit pilgrims has become acute since Saudi Arabia loosened visa restrictions in line with economic reforms, trying to attract more tourism and business. Hundreds of thousands of people are believed to have used family and tourist visas, instead of the designated hajj visa, to enter the country each year. Saudi Arabia is now trying to cut off the problem at source, restricting multiple-entry visas for citizens of several countries since January. Family and tourist visas were also barred to nationals of more than 10 countries, including Egypt, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Jordan. Umar Karim, an expert on Saudi affairs at the University of Birmingham, said officials previously focused on "deterring people but not stopping them" from coming before hajj. "Saudi authorities have seen that once these people are inside the kingdom, stopping them from physically entering Mecca is a difficult task even if a huge number of security officials are deployed," he added. For the past month, entry into Mecca has been restricted to individuals with work and residency permits. Many people in Mecca have been forced to send their wives and children, who lack the proper visas, out of the city. Pilgrims coming for umrah -- similar rites that can be performed year-round -- have also been required to leave. Meanwhile, fines for an illicit hajj have doubled to 20,000 Saudi riyals ($5,333), with violators facing a 10-year ban from the country. Those found to be harbouring and helping unauthorised pilgrims can be fined up to 100,000 riyals ($26,666). "All of this is aimed at ensuring that Mecca is reserved exclusively for authorised pilgrims during the Hajj season," the official added. Residents of Mecca told AFP that the crowds there have noticeably thinned compared to previous years. However, officials said on Tuesday that more than a million pilgrims had already arrived in Saudi Arabia for the hajj. Last year's hajj deaths were a high-profile example of the havoc wrought by heat in 2024, which the Copernicus Climate Change Service said was the hottest year ever recorded. While the pilgrimage, which follows a lunar calendar, will eventually shift to the cooler winter season, relief will be temporary. A 2019 study published by the journal Geophysical Research Letters said because of climate change and the timing of the hajj, heat stress for pilgrims will exceed the "extreme danger threshold" from 2047 to 2052, and 2079 to 2086. Muslim pilgrims use umbrellas to shade themselves from the sun AFP
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Climate
- Miami Herald
Hundreds of Thousands Told Not To Drink Alcohol in 3 States
Hundreds of thousands of residents in three Western states have been urged not to drink alcohol as a severe heat wave hits. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued Extreme Heat Warnings for portions of California, Nevada and Arizona on Friday and Saturday, with temperatures forecast to soar into the triple digits. Heat advisories have also been issued in Oregon, Idaho and Montana. The warnings underscore the life-threatening risks posed by extreme heat in the Western U.S. this week, especially for vulnerable communities, the elderly, outdoor workers, and those without access to air conditioning. Prolonged exposure to high daytime temperatures, combined with limited overnight cooling, raise the threat of heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and dehydration. The NWS issued its extreme heat warning in eastern California, southern Nevada and extreme north-west Arizona from Friday morning until late Saturday. "Temperatures Friday and Saturday will reach 104 to 108 in the Lake Mead Recreation Area, 100 to 105 in the western Mojave Desert including Barstow, and 103 to 109 in the valleys of southern Nevada including Pahrump, Las Vegas, and Moapa. Temperatures over 115 are likely in Death Valley," the NWS said. The NWS warned people in these affected areas to avoid consuming alcohol or caffeinated drinks as they can accelerate dehydration. Instead, residents have been urged to drink water or electrolyte-rich sports drinks. The agency also warned people to avoid eating protein-rich meals, as these can raise body temperatures. "Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors," the NWS said. "Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes." It added: "If you do not have air conditioning in your home or lack shelter, monitor for local cooling shelters openings and assistance locating appropriate shelter from the heat." Elsewhere, the NWS has also issued extensive heat advisories across large parts of western California, which are in force until Friday evening. Temperatures are forecast to reach up to 107 degrees Fahrenheit in the Sacramento Valley and Shasta Lake Area. Meanwhile, temperatures are also forecast to reach up to 102 degrees in southwest Idaho, southeast Oregon and northwest Montana on Friday. Ashley Ward, director of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University's Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability, North Carolina, told Newsweek: "During periods of extreme heat, hydration is critical, and both alcohol and high doses of caffeine can work against that. Alcohol, in particular, impairs the body's ability to regulate temperature and recognize early signs of heat illness. When it's dangerously hot, the safest bet is to stick with water or electrolyte beverages, take breaks in the shade or AC, and avoid strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day." She added: "Don't rely on fans as your main cooling source when indoor temperatures rise above 95°F - they may create a false sense of comfort but won't prevent heat-related illness. Avoid waiting in parked cars even for short periods - internal temperatures can rise dangerously fast. Don't assume that only the elderly are at risk - outdoor workers, food service workers, athletes, young children, and people with chronic health conditions are also highly vulnerable." The extreme heat warnings are in place from 9 a.m. PT on Friday until 11 p.m. PT on Saturday. Residents are urged to follow local forecasts and be prepared for additional advisories on the NWS website. Related Articles Tropical Storm Alvin Becomes First Named 2025 SystemHundreds of Thousands Told Not To Drink Coffee In 2 StatesChildren Warned to Limit Physical Activity in Two States 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
