Particles unearthed in Antarctica were produced when a meteorite EXPLODED in mid-air

An ancient meteorite that exploded in mid-air 430,000 years ago left behind unusual particles of matter in the mountains of Antarctica, a new study reveals. An international team of space scientists, led by the University of Kent, examined ‘extra-terrestrial particles’ recovered from the summit of mountain Walnumfjellet in the Sør Rondane Mountains of Queen Maud … Read more

Jupiter’s UV auroras are generated by charged particles from its volcanic moon Io, NASA reveals

A spectacular and dramatic ultraviolet auroras on Jupiter is generated by charged particles escaping its volcanic moon Io, according to a new NASA study. The origins of the bright blue circular aurora were revealed by the NASA Juno spacecraft, which is currently studying the gas giant from orbit. The Jovian polar light show, also known as the … Read more

Colorado residents spot BROWN snow during winter storm that is actually dust particles from Mexico

Winter Storm Xylia dropped nearly three feet of snow in Colorado over the weekend, but some of the powder had a brown hue instead of being completely white. The National Weather Service (NWS) revealed the discolored snow is actually dust particles that traveled up from Mexico, which is currently experiencing a severe-to-extreme drought. Strong winds … Read more

Source of solar particles that threaten spaceflight and satellites is identified in the sun

Scientists have identified the source in the sun which produces solar energetic particles that threaten crewed spaceflight, near-Earth satellites and airplanes. A team of US researchers analyzed the composition of particles that flew towards Earth in 2014 and found the same ‘fingerprint’ of plasma that is located low in the sun’s chromosphere – its second … Read more

Earth, Venus and Mars may have formed from tiny particles of ice

How important is the presence of liquid water? It is now widely believed that Mars holds a reasonably large volume of water. However, the surface of the planet is so cold, this water exists only as ice. In order for life to exist on a planet, many scientists believe it is essential for the world … Read more

US weather: Ice particles appear as ‘light pillars’ in Nebraska sky

‘The beauty of nature’: Stunning light pillars illuminate the night sky over Nebraska due to a strange optical illusion Meteorologist Bill Taylor photographed the phenomenon over North Platte The light columns are seen in calm conditions when ice crystals float in the air Acting like thousands of mirrors, the crystals reflect light such as from lamps … Read more

Wearing three-layer masks blocks 90% of infectious particles, experts say 

Wearing three layers of face coverings can help protect you against infection with the novel coronavirus. Public health experts say this does not mean wearing three masks at a time.   Multiple masks may offer a measure of protection, but you will also be more likely to fiddle with an additional mask, and it makes it … Read more

Ganges River could be responsible for 3 BILLION plastic particles entering Bay of Bengal every day

The Ganges River is one of the biggest rivers in the world, providing water for a whopping half a billion people.  But a worrying new study has warned that the river, with the combined flows of the Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers, could be responsible for up to three billion microplastic particles entering the Bay of Bengal … Read more

Seagrass ‘Neptune balls’ are found to sieve MILLIONS of plastic particles from water

Every year, an estimated eight million tons of plastic is dumped into our oceans, threatening the lives of fish, seabirds and marine mammals.  Now, a new study suggests that the key to clearing our oceans of plastic may lie in seagrass.  Seagrass forms so-called ‘Neptune balls’ – oval orbs made from the base of leaves … Read more

Trendy wood burners TRIPLE the level of harmful pollution particles

Trendy wood burners TRIPLE the level of harmful pollution particles inside homes and should be sold with a health warning, study claims Researchers monitored pollution from wood burners in 19 Sheffield homes  They found particle pollution increased three times when they were in use The team say the wood burners should come with a health … Read more