Supercooling of Earth's Inner Core May Finally Reveal its True Age, Highlights New Report

Earth's inner core, made of solid iron and nickel, lies over 5,100 kilometres below the surface. Despite its crucial role in shaping Earth's conditions and generating its magnetic field, the core's age has remained a mystery. Thanks to advancements in mineral physics, scientists are now closer to understanding how and when the core formed. The solid core is vital for maintaining Earth's magnetic field, which shields us from harmful solar radiation, making the planet habitable for billions of years.

Inner Core's Formation and Freezing Process

The inner core, which was once molten, solidifies as the Earth cools down. This cooling process causes the iron-rich liquid surrounding the core to freeze, expanding the inner core outwards, although the temperature at the core remains scorching, at over 5,000K (around 4,726°C). The freezing of iron releases lighter elements like oxygen and carbon, creating a buoyant liquid that rises into the outer core, producing electric currents. These currents drive the Earth's magnetic field, which is responsible for phenomena like the northern lights.

Supercooling and the Core's Age

Geophysicists use thermal models to study Earth's magnetic history. These models have revealed that supercooling, where a liquid cools below its freezing point without solidifying, could explain the core's formation. Recent studies suggest that iron at the core may need to be supercooled by up to 1,000K before freezing. However, this level of cooling implies that the core might be much younger, between 500 and 1,000 million years than previously thought. Current evidence suggests the core may have experienced less than 400K of supercooling.

The age of Earth's inner core remains a topic of intense study, with scientists exploring the possibility that the core could be younger than estimated due to this supercooling phenomenon. Understanding this could reshape our knowledge of Earth's magnetic history.

 

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Sunita Williams Describes ISS as Her 'Happy Place' Despite Being Stuck in Space for Eight Months

Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and fellow NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore embarked on an eight-day mission aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft on June 05, 2024. However, due to technical challenges, their stay at the International Space Station (ISS) has been extended to eight months. While Starliner returned to Earth without them last week due to some issues, both astronauts remain on the ISS and are expected to return with Elon Musk's SpaceX Crew-9 flight in February 2025.

Williams' Perspective on the Delay

In a video press conference, Sunita Williams shared her thoughts on the unexpected delay, describing the ISS as her "happy place." She mentioned how life in space has not been a difficult adjustment due to previous experience. Although initially hoped to complete the Starliner mission and return sooner, she remains optimistic about the opportunity ahead.

Challenges with Starliner's Return

Butch Wilmore noted that, while there were disagreements regarding their return on the Starliner, time constraints and unresolved technical issues led to their continued stay. He believes their current situation is for the best, given the safety concerns surrounding the Starliner.

Voting from Space

Sunita Williams also acknowledged that while her extended stay causes some nervousness, especially considering plans with her family, she remains focused on the mission. Both astronauts expressed their anticipation of casting their ballots for the 2024 US presidential elections from space, with the race being between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

Technical Issues with Starliner

The Starliner spacecraft experienced multiple thruster failures and helium leaks during its approach to the ISS, preventing it from achieving sufficient thrust for a safe return to Earth with the astronauts. As a result, NASA and Boeing decided that the Starliner would return empty, leaving Williams and Wilmore to await their return with SpaceX.

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Earth Might Gain Another Moon Temporarily as a Small Asteroid Could Begin Orbit It, Claims Study

Earth might gain another Moon, a miniature one, due to a rare phenomenon called gravitational trapping. Carlos de la Fuente Marcos and Raúl de la Fuente Marcos, researchers from Universidad Complutense de Madrid, have announced an intriguing celestial event. A small asteroid, named 2024 PT5, is set to become Earth's temporary mini-moon for approximately two months starting later this month. Their findings, published in the Research Notes of the AAS, reveal that Earth frequently captures asteroids, albeit briefly. This new mini-moon is expected to make one orbit around our planet before continuing its journey through the solar system.

Details of the Asteroid

2024 PT5, a small asteroid with a diameter of about 10 metres, was first detected last month by the Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System. Despite initial concerns, it has been confirmed that this asteroid is not on a collision course with Earth. The researchers used current measurements of its size, speed, and trajectory to predict that it will come close enough to Earth to be temporarily bound by its gravity.

The asteroid will complete one full orbit around Earth in 53 days, beginning at the end of this month and concluding around mid-November.

Origin and Characteristics

The researchers also estimated the asteroid's origins, suggesting it is likely from the Arjuna asteroid belt. This belt is known for containing asteroids with orbits similar to Earth's. The analysis indicates that 2024 PT5 is not space debris but rather an object of natural origin, given its trajectory resembles that of other natural celestial bodies.

Significance of the Discovery

The temporary capture of the Asteroid 2024 PT5 offers valuable insights into the dynamics of small asteroids and their interactions with Earth's gravity. Historically, Earth has captured asteroids in similar ways; for instance, an asteroid orbited Earth for about a year in 2006, and another for several years before leaving in 2020.

This brief encounter with 2024 PT5 provides a unique opportunity for researchers to study such interactions and enhance our understanding of asteroid behaviour in our solar system.

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Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale 2024 to Start on September 27; Offers Teased

Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale 2024 dates have been announced ahead of the upcoming festive season. The e-commerce platform is also teasing deals on products across categories such as mobiles, laptops, tablets, TVs, home appliances and other electronics, among other offers to build anticipation before the sale's official kick-off. Buyers will be able to take advantage of discounts on transactions carried out through HDFC debit and credit cards, in addition to other cashback and EMI deals.

During the Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale 2024, flagship smartphones from top brands like Apple, Google and Samsung are expected to have their prices slashed.

Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale 2024 Date and Offers

Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale 2024 will begin on September 27 for all members. However, Flipkart Plus subscribers will be able to get early access a day before, on September 26.

This year, the e-commerce giant has joined hands with HDFC Bank to introduce bank offers. Buyers can take advantage of a 10 percent instant discount on debit/credit and Easy EMI transactions. Additionally, Flipkart says buyers can enjoy lifetime cashback on UPI via its super money app.

Prospective smartphone buyers will be able to take advantage of top deals on Samsung smartphones such as Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23 FE and Galaxy A14 5G. Flipkart says they can wishlist these handsets now and buy them as soon as the sale goes live. There will also be attractive offers on Nothing Phone 2a and 2a Plus and Acer Aspire 3.

The e-commerce platform will announce deals on TVs, smartwatches, tablets, audio equipment, laptops and other home appliances over the next few days. Furthermore, offers on Nothing Phone 2a and iPhone models will be announced on September 22 and September 23, respectively.

In addition to the discounts and bank benefits, Flipkart will also offer exchange deals and Flipkart Pay Later credit up to Rs. 1 lakh.

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Indian Researchers Find a New Technique to Control Defects in MOF-Based Supercapacitors

A novel approach to improving the performance of MOF-based supercapacitors has been developed by researchers at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali. This laser-based technique allows for the controlled introduction of defects in the material, boosting energy storage capabilities. The method could offer a significant improvement over traditional methods used for defect creation, such as thermal annealing, chemical exposure, and ball milling, which lacked precision.

How Laser Technology Improves MOF-Based Supercapacitors

In this innovative approach, Prof Vivek Bagchi and his team at INST used laser irradiation to create defects and porosity in the CuZn-BTC MOF. By carefully adjusting laser power, they were able to increase the electrode's surface area without altering the Metal Organic Framework's (MOF) crystal structure. The details of the research were published in the journal ACS Materials Letter.

This precise tuning enhances the material's performance by enabling better ion diffusion and improved energy storage. The pores generated in the three-dimensional MOF structure allow ions to travel more efficiently, significantly enhancing the device's energy storage capacity.

Traditional methods of defect creation tend to transform the material or create composite structures, reducing efficiency. However, this laser method maintains the MOF's original crystallinity while improving its electrochemical properties. Upon laser exposure, some bonds in the CuZn-MOF break, creating pores that improve ion diffusion while keeping the overall structure intact.

Environmental and Performance Benefits

In addition to enhancing energy storage, the laser process is quicker, cleaner, and more environmentally friendly than conventional approaches. It eliminates the need for chemical solvents, making the process both safer and faster. The findings, published in ACS Materials Letter, highlight the potential for applying this method to other MOF materials to improve performance in energy storage technologies.

 

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X-Class Solar Flare Erupts on the Sun, Earth-Directed CME Might Have Been Released

This week, solar activity has been particularly intense, with the sun releasing powerful solar flares, including an X1.3-class flare on Thursday, September 12. The eruption, coming from an unnumbered sunspot, took place at 5:43 AM EDT (9:43 UTC). X-class flares, the strongest of its type, can cause disruptions in radio communications, especially in sunlit areas. In this case, the flare impacted high-frequency radio bands across Africa, Europe, and parts of Asia, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Geomagnetic Storm and Aurora Chances

Following the X1.3-class flare, a geomagnetic storm occurred on 12 September 2024, rated at G3 on a five-level scale by NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. This storm resulted from a coronal mass ejection (CME) produced by a solar flare earlier in the week on 10 September. As a CME travels through space, it carries plasma and magnetic fields from the sun's corona.

When these reach Earth, they can trigger geomagnetic storms and enhance auroras in the Northern Hemisphere. Some areas in the western US reported visible auroras following the storm. In addition to the X-class event, other solar flares in the M-class category were observed from sunspots AR 3811 and AR 3814 earlier in the week.

Another Geomagnetic Storm Expected

According to NOAA, aurora watchers will have another opportunity on Friday, 13 September 2024, when another geomagnetic storm is expected. This storm will be caused by a CME that erupted earlier this week. As CMEs take a few days to reach Earth, the geomagnetic storm could lead to even more vibrant aurora displays across various parts of the US, particularly in higher latitudes. Scientists at NOAA continue to monitor solar activity closely to forecast any potential impacts on Earth's magnetic field.

Keep an eye on the skies this weekend, as auroras may light up the night across parts of the US due to heightened solar activity.

 

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Supermassive Black Hole at the Centre of the Milky Way Is Spinning Unexpectedly

Sagittarius A* (pronounced Sagittarius A Star), the supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way, is spinning in an unusual way, and scientists now believe they may know why. Based on new data from the Event Horizon Telescope, researchers suggest that this cosmic giant likely merged with another black hole billions of years ago. This colossal collision would explain the black hole's rapid, misaligned spin, which differs from the rest of the galaxy's orientation.

The Role of Mergers in Black Hole Evolution

Located 26,000 light-years from Earth, Sagittarius A* is a massive object, 4 million times the mass of the Sun. Its fast spin and odd tilt have long puzzled astronomers, but new research points to a violent past.

According to a study published in the Nature journal and led by Yihan Wang, an astrophysicist at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), the black hole's strange spin is best explained by a merger with another supermassive black hole. This event could have occurred around 9 billion years ago and may have drastically altered Sagittarius A*'s spin.

Supermassive black holes are believed to grow not only by absorbing nearby gas and dust but also by merging with other black holes when galaxies collide. Bing Zhang, a professor of physics and astronomy at UNLV and co-author of the study, explained that the merger likely happened after the Milky Way collided with the Gaia-Enceladus galaxy. This adds significant evidence to the theory that black holes can expand by merging with others of their kind.

Future Discoveries Await

Astronomers are hopeful that future space-based projects, such as the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), set to launch in 2035, will help uncover more about the history of supermassive black holes. These tools will detect gravitational waves produced by such mergers, providing even more insights into the dynamic evolution of galaxies and their black holes.

 

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