Latest news with #JamesWebbTelescope
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Never before seen images of our Universe
Perched high up in the Chilean Mountains is the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, home to the world's largest digital camera. The James Webb telescope is providing never before seen insights into our Universe. This video is from Tech Now, the BBC's flagship technology programme.
Geeky Gadgets
4 days ago
- Science
- Geeky Gadgets
DIY Solar Generator Inspired by NASA Tech : Save Money and the Planet
What if you could harness the power of the sun to generate your own energy—right in your backyard? Imagine a system so efficient it could heat water, power small appliances, or even serve as a backup during emergencies, all while reducing your carbon footprint. That's the promise of a DIY solar generator, a project that combines ingenuity with sustainability. Inspired by the innovative engineering behind the James Webb Telescope, this feature explores how everyday materials and advanced techniques can transform sunlight into a reliable energy source. With challenges like precise mirror alignment and structural stability tackled head-on, this project proves that renewable energy isn't just for scientists or large corporations—it's for anyone willing to take on the challenge. In this guide, Concept Crafted Creations explain how to build a solar generator that's not only functional but also scalable for real-world applications. From crafting a sun-tracking mechanism to optimizing heat absorption, each step offers valuable insights into the science of solar energy. Along the way, you'll learn how to overcome common hurdles, like making sure the system withstands environmental stressors or fine-tuning its efficiency. Whether you're an experienced tinkerer or a curious beginner, this project opens the door to a deeper understanding of sustainable energy solutions. By the end, you might find yourself rethinking what's possible with a little creativity and a lot of sunlight. DIY Solar Generator Overview Project Design: Concentrating Solar Power for Efficiency The project is based on the concept of concentrating sunlight using mirrors to generate thermal energy. Eighteen mirrors were carefully arranged to direct sunlight onto a collector plate designed for maximum heat absorption and transfer. The primary goal was to evaluate the system's performance and identify areas for refinement. Early prototypes faced challenges such as misaligned mirrors and structural instability, but through iterative adjustments and community feedback, the design saw significant improvements. The system's design reflects a practical approach to renewable energy generation, combining engineering ingenuity with accessible materials. By focusing on thermal energy production, the project showcases the potential for small-scale, sustainable energy solutions that can be adapted for various applications. Overcoming Challenges: Mirror Alignment and Sun Tracking One of the most significant challenges in the project was achieving precise mirror alignment. Initial attempts using a laser pointer proved insufficient for the required accuracy. To address this, the team developed a custom alignment tool using a high-power LED and a magnifying glass. This innovative solution simulated the sun's light path, allowing more precise adjustments. The improved alignment significantly enhanced the system's ability to concentrate sunlight effectively, boosting overall efficiency. To ensure consistent sunlight exposure throughout the day, a basic sun tracking mechanism was implemented. This system used four light-dependent resistors (LDRs) to detect light intensity and adjust the mirrors accordingly. While functional, the initial setup required fine-tuning to improve accuracy. Adding a sleeve to block stray light allowed the LDRs to better track the sun's position, making sure consistent sunlight concentration on the collector plate. These adjustments marked a critical step toward improving the system's reliability and performance. How to Build a DIY Solar Generator Inspired by NASA Watch this video on YouTube. Here are more detailed guides and articles that you may find helpful on DIY solar generator. Enhancing Heat Absorption and Structural Stability Maximizing heat absorption was another key focus of the project. The collector plate was painted black to enhance its ability to retain heat, as black surfaces absorb more solar radiation. Additionally, a secondary mirror was removed, and the collector plate was mounted directly to withstand the intense heat generated by concentrated sunlight. These changes not only improved the system's efficiency but also simplified its overall design. However, during testing, the structure was found to be vulnerable to environmental factors such as wind, which caused it to tip over. This highlighted the need for improved structural stability. Strengthening the framework and anchoring the system more securely are critical steps for making sure its durability in real-world conditions. Performance Testing and Future Enhancements The system's performance was evaluated by heating 20 liters of water, starting at a temperature of 22.6°C. Within 32 minutes, the water temperature rose to 44.2°C, demonstrating the generator's ability to produce thermal energy effectively. The calculated power output was approximately 924 watts, with an efficiency of 705 W/m². These results validated the system's potential while also identifying areas for further optimization. Building on these findings, several enhancements are planned to improve the system's performance and reliability. Key areas of focus include: Reinforcing the structure to withstand environmental factors such as wind and rain. Developing a fully automated and weatherproof version for long-term use. Incorporating higher-quality materials to improve durability and efficiency. Upgrading the sun tracking mechanism for greater precision and adaptability. These improvements aim to make the system more robust and suitable for real-world applications, paving the way for broader adoption of renewable energy technologies. Unlocking the Potential of DIY Solar Generators This DIY solar generator project demonstrates how innovative design and practical problem-solving can unlock the potential of solar energy. By addressing challenges such as mirror alignment, structural stability, and weatherproofing, the system has shown its viability as a renewable energy solution. The testing results highlight its effectiveness in generating thermal energy, while the planned improvements aim to enhance its reliability and scalability. With further development, this project could serve as a model for efficient and sustainable solar energy generation. By using accessible materials and advanced techniques, it offers a pathway toward greater energy independence and environmental sustainability, inspiring broader adoption of renewable energy solutions in both residential and industrial settings. Media Credit: Concept Crafted Creations Filed Under: Design News, DIY Projects, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
News18
4 days ago
- Science
- News18
Universe's Earliest Light Revealed: James Webb Telescope Captures Stunning Image Of Cosmic Dawn
Last Updated: James Webb Space Telescope has captured the deepest and clearest image to date, offering us a glimpse of the universe's beginning, known as the 'Cosmic Dawn' The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the most powerful space observatory ever built, has achieved a remarkable feat that will excite everyone interested in space science. This telescope has captured the deepest and clearest image to date, offering us a glimpse of the universe's beginning, known as the 'Cosmic Dawn.' 'Cosmic Dawn' refers to the period when the universe was very young, just a few hundred million years old. Scientists believe that during this time, stars and galaxies began forming for the first time, roughly 13 billion years ago. Until now, it has been very difficult to observe such ancient objects directly. advetisement How Was This Picture Taken? In this historic image, the James Webb Telescope focused on a massive galaxy cluster called 'Abell S1063,' located about 4.5 billion light years away from Earth. This cluster was previously observed by the Hubble Telescope, but James Webb's more powerful infrared camera, NIRCam, allowed it to see deeper into space. The telescope observed this region continuously for 120 hours, capturing nine different images that were combined into a single, stunning picture. This is being called James Webb's deepest view yet. What Was Seen In The Picture? Behind the large galaxies in the image, faint, curved lines of light are visible. These lines are actually light from extremely distant galaxies that cannot be seen directly. The gravitational lensing effect caused by the massive galaxy cluster bends their light towards us, making them visible. Why Is This Discovery Special? Scientists say this image provides evidence that some galaxies formed just 200 million years after the universe came into existence. In other words, we can now witness the moments when the universe first began to 'shine.' The data also hints at glimpses of the very first stars, which is a major breakthrough. How close are we to understanding the universe's mysteries? This image is not just a scientific achievement; it is like a window into time. It proves that we have taken the first step towards uncovering the true story of the universe's birth. The success of the James Webb Telescope shows that humanity is now closer than ever to solving some of the oldest mysteries of time and space. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : galaxies James Webb Space Telescope space telescope First Published:
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
NASA satellite records unprecedented river waves in the United States
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — NASA's U.S.-French Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite, which was launched in 2022 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, has spotted large-scale river waves for the first time, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California has announced. The river waves, which, unlike ocean waves, are temporary surges of water, stretched from 47 to 166 miles long as they traveled down rivers in Montana, Texas, and Georgia, the SWOT satellite recorded. James Webb Telescope captures new images of colliding Egg and Penguin galaxies: NASA The three large waves measured by the SWOT satellite from 2023 to 2024 were believed to be caused by extreme rainfall and a loosened ice jam, NASA reports, with the largest measuring over 30-feet-tall, creating potentially hazardous flood waves traveling down U.S. rivers. Ocean waves are primarily driven by wind and the gravitational pull of the moon and sun — tides – and move across the ocean until they crash to shore. According to NASA, river waves are temporary surges that can stretch tens to hundreds of miles, and are typically caused by rainfall or seasonal snowmelt. The waves can be beneficial, by shuttling nutrients and organisms down a river. But extreme river waves are usually triggered by a prolonged downpour or dam break and can cause floods. 'Out of this world' First-ever hip-hop song sent to Venus by NASA 'Ocean waves are well known from surfing and sailing, but rivers are the arteries of the planet. We want to understand their dynamics,' said Cedric David, a hydrologist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and a coauthor of a new study published May 14 in Geophysical Research Letters. Since 2022, the SWOT satellite has surveyed the height of nearly all of Earth's surface waters, both fresh and salty, using its sensitive Ka-band Radar Interferometer (KaRIn), which maps the elevation and width of water bodies by bouncing microwaves off the surface and timing how long the signal takes to return. NASA streams first-ever high-definition video from deep space Lead author Hana Thurman of Virginia Tech and team used SWOT data to search for river waves for her doctoral research. Thurman and team measured SWOT data that recorded the first wave on the Yellowstone River in Montana in April 2023. The satellite recorded the wave rise abruptly to 9.1 feet, and flow toward the Missouri River in North Dakota. It then divided into a 6.8-mile-long peak followed by a more drawn‐out tail. Through optical Sentinel-2 imagery of the area, Thurman was able to determine that the wave likely resulted from an ice jam breaking apart upstream and releasing pent-up water. The other two river waves were found to be caused by rainfall runoff. On Jan. 25, 2024, on the Colorado River south of Austin, Texas, a river wave over 30-feet-tall and and 166 miles long traveled around 3.5 feet per second for over 250 miles before discharging into Matagorda Bay, and was associated with the largest flood of the year on that section of river, according to NASA. NASA launches revolutionary PACE satellite to study Earth's oceans, changing climate The third wave originated on the Ocmulgee River near Macon, Georgia, in March 2024. The SWOT satellite measured it at over 20-feet-tall and extending more than 100 miles, traveling about a foot per second for more than 124 miles. 'We're learning more about the shape and speed of flow waves, and how they change along long stretches of river,' Thurman said. 'That could help us answer questions like, how fast could a flood get here and is infrastructure at risk?' The study is helping engineers and water managers measure river waves in ways never before possible, who have long relied on stream gauges. Also, knowing where and why river waves develop can help scientists track changing flood patterns around the world. 'Satellite data is complementary because it can help fill in the gaps,' said study supervisor George Allen, a hydrologist and remote sensing expert at Virginia Tech. Orbiting Earth multiple times each day, SWOT is expected to observe some 55% of large-scale floods at some stage in their life cycle. 'If we see something in the data, we can say something,' David said of SWOT's potential to flag dangerous floods in the making. 'For a long time, we've stood on the banks of our rivers, but we've never seen them like we are now.' Death Valley's temporary lake was measured by a NASA satellite. Here's how big it got NASA also used SWOT to measure how big the lake was that briefly formed in Death Valley in April 2024. The SWOT satellite was jointly developed by NASA and the French space agency CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales), with contributions from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the UK Space Agency. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, managed for the agency by Caltech in Pasadena, California, leads the U.S. component of the project. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Alien Hunters Detect "Unexplained Pulses" Emanating From Two Distant Stars
When looking for extraterrestrial life, scientists found something odd — two bizarre electromagnetic pulses coming from a distant constellation that cannot be explained. In a new study published in the journal Acta Astronautica, researchers from NASA and CalTech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory admitted they could not rule out the chance that the twin star pulses they detected within Ursa Major, some 100 light-years away, were related to alien life. The star in question, HD 89389, is slightly larger and brighter than our Sun and was the focus of observation for veteran NASA scientist Richard Stanton. In 2023, Stanton detected an unexpected signal emanating from the star: two identical and fast pulses roughly 4.4 seconds apart that made it flash brightly, dim, and then flash again. "The star gets brighter-fainter-brighter and then returns to its ambient level," Stanton told Universe Today. "This variation is much too strong to be caused by random noise or atmospheric turbulence. How do you make a star, over a million kilometers across, partially disappear in a tenth of a second? The source of this variation can't be as far away as the star itself." This signal had never been detected before, but to make sure it wasn't something else, the researcher spent an estimated 1,500 hours, which is the equivalent of about two months straight, comparing it to everything from planes and lightning to meteors and system malfunctions. When none of those searches yielded anything similar, Stanton told Universe Today that he felt confident that what he was seeing had not been observed for that Ursa Major star before. However, it did resemble another surprise twin pulse observation from 2019 that emanated from a hot gas giant now named Dimidium located about 50 light-years from Earth. The electromagnetic pulses emitted from Dimidium were initially dismissed as having been caused by birds, as Universe Today notes. To avoid a similarly false conclusion, Stanton began positing all manner of explanations related to the strange signals, including atmospheric conditions on Earth or even an anomalous reading due to our planet's gravity — but none of them "are really satisfying at this point," he said. "We don't know what kind of object could produce these pulses or how far away it is," the scientist said. "We don't know if the two-pulse signal is produced by something passing between us and the star or if it is generated by something that modulates the star's light without moving across the field." It's way too soon to tell what's going on with those strange signals from Ursa Major — but it seems certain that something weird is going on there, and that whatever is causing it will be fascinating indeed. "Until we learn more," Stanton concluded, "we can't even say whether or not extraterrestrials are involved!" More on stars: NASA's James Webb Telescope Just Found Frozen Water Around Another Star
