Tag: Cosmic ray

Earth Sciences

Earth’s Magnetic Field Warping: South Atlantic Anomaly Expansion Mystifies Scientists

The South Atlantic Anomaly, a weak zone in Earth’s magnetic field, has expanded by nearly half the size of continental Europe since 2014. New research from the European Space Agency’s Swarm satellites reveals mysterious patterns deep within Earth’s core driving this concerning phenomenon.

Scientists are grappling with a mysterious phenomenon as Earth’s magnetic field undergoes dramatic changes that could have significant implications for satellite technology and space operations. Recent research reveals that the South Atlantic Anomaly, a weak spot in our planet’s protective magnetic shield, has expanded substantially since 2014 and intensified since 2020, according to a new study published in Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors.

What Is the South Atlantic Anomaly?

by Jessica Moore P.E.
Assistive TechnologyEarth Sciences

Compact Laser-Plasma Accelerator Generates Muon Beams for Revolutionary Imaging Applications

Researchers have developed a revolutionary foot-long laser-plasma accelerator that generates highly directional muon beams on demand. This breakthrough technology slashes imaging times from months to minutes, enabling unprecedented non-destructive inspection capabilities.

In a groundbreaking development that promises to transform non-destructive imaging, researchers at Berkeley Lab have created a compact laser-plasma accelerator that generates highly directional muon beams in a device measuring just 30 centimeters long. This revolutionary technology addresses longstanding limitations in muon imaging by providing a reliable, on-demand source of these penetrating particles, overcoming the constraints of traditional methods that relied on scarce natural sources.

The Muon Imaging Revolution

by Michael Turner