All articles tagged with #natural phenomena
Astronomers are studying interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, which has exhibited unprecedented energy bursts and unusual chemical signatures, sparking speculation about its origins, but most scientists believe its activity is natural rather than artificial.
Scientists have confirmed that will-o'-the-wisps are caused by tiny lightning sparks igniting methane gas in marshes, revealing a scientific explanation for this ghostly phenomenon and highlighting the role of microlightning in natural chemical processes.
Scientists have discovered that ordinary ice can generate electricity when bent, through a process called flexoelectricity, and also exhibits surface ferroelectricity at very low temperatures. This dual electrical behavior may help explain natural phenomena like lightning formation and could lead to new technological applications using ice as an active material. The findings, published in Nature Physics, reveal surprising electromechanical properties of ice that extend our understanding of its behavior in nature and potential uses in electronics.
A study reveals that ice is a flexoelectric material capable of generating electricity when deformed, which could explain natural phenomena like lightning and lead to new technological applications.
Dogs have remarkable abilities to predict various events and conditions, including medical issues like diabetes and cancer, natural disasters, human emotions, pregnancy, and even paranormal activity, backed by scientific studies and observations.
The article showcases the winners of the 2025 Milky Way Photographer of the Year, featuring stunning images of the night sky from around the world, including the Milky Way, meteor showers, lunar eclipses, and unique natural locations, captured by talented astrophotographers.
A massive fireball lit up the sky across New Jersey and surrounding areas early Wednesday morning, believed to be an apparent meteor falling to earth, following a week of unusual natural phenomena including an earthquake and solar eclipse. Numerous residents reported sightings and captured the spectacle on camera, with reports spanning from Delaware to Connecticut.
The origin of the Mima mounds, natural formations found in many states west of the Mississippi River, remains a scientific mystery despite over a century of research. Various theories, including glacial, gopher, wind, and earthquake hypotheses, have been proposed, but no consensus has been reached. The gopher theory gained support in 2013, but skepticism remains. The mounds' regularity and symmetry continue to puzzle scientists, leaving the cause of their formation unresolved.
Solar eclipses were significant natural phenomena in the Middle Ages, with ten accounts from around the medieval world providing insights into how people described and reacted to them. These accounts range from scientific observations to interpretations of the eclipses as omens foretelling great events. They offer details such as the color and duration of the eclipses, as well as the reactions of people and animals. These historical records provide valuable information about medieval perceptions of celestial events and their impact on society.
A timelapse video captures the eruption of a volcano in Iceland on the Reykjanes peninsula, with the Northern Lights glowing in the background. The volcano has erupted multiple times this year, leading to a state of emergency being declared in southern Iceland in March. The Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, is caused by the interaction of the solar wind and Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere.
In "Transient and Strange," Nell Greenfieldboyce, known for her objective and newsworthy science writing, delves into a series of revealing essays that intertwine her personal life with natural phenomena. Through metaphors and personal anecdotes, she explores vulnerability and emotional nakedness while maintaining a protective scientific rationality. The book covers her experiences with shocking phone calls, illness, aging, and the challenges of conceiving through IVF, ultimately culminating in a heartwarming account of her husband's life-saving kidney transplant and the joy of conceiving two children.
A new volcanic island that emerged from the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Japan's Iwo Jima is now visible from space, according to satellite images from the European Space Agency. The underwater volcanic eruption began on October 21, with explosions occurring every few minutes by October 30. The eruption produced a new landmass and a sea of floating pumice. The island, approximately 330 feet wide and 66 feet high, is currently eroding due to wave action, and its survival depends on its composition.
A new island has formed off the coast of the Japanese island of Iwo Jima in the Pacific Ocean due to an undersea volcanic eruption. The island, part of the Ogasawara Island chain, was documented by Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force and sits about 1,200 kilometers south of mainland Japan.
Photographer Frankie Lucena captured rare "gigantic jets" of upside-down lightning shooting upward out of a storm cloud during Hurricane Franklin. These upward-moving lightning bolts, which occur as few as 1,000 times a year, can climb more than 50 miles above Earth's surface. While scientists have known about the phenomenon for about 20 years, much about it remains a mystery. The bolts may be the result of a blockage preventing lightning from escaping through the bottom of the cloud. Atlantic hurricane season has just begun, providing more opportunities to observe and study these rare lightning events.
The giant oarfish, also known as the "king of herrings," is believed to predict earthquakes in Japanese folklore. Before the 2011 earthquake, 20 oarfish were found on beaches. With its silver body acting like a mirror, the oarfish is considered a messenger from the sea god's palace. Despite its elusive nature, the existence of the oarfish has been proven by encounters with the cookie cutter shark. The oarfish's peculiar appearance and behavior continue to fascinate researchers and divers.