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Astronomers have traditionally relied on helioseismology to estimate the Sun’s age by analysing the vibrations that ripple through its interior. However, recent research has uncovered a significant obstacle, the Sun’s magnetic activity, which follows an 11-year cycle, appears to be distorting these measurements. Data from the Birmingham Solar Oscillations Network (BISON) and NASA’s SOHO mission, which spans over 26.5 years, revealed a 6.5 percent difference in the Sun’s age when measured at the solar minimum compared to the solar maximum.

This discrepancy, attributed to variations in the Sun’s magnetic activity, suggests that similar methods used to measure the age of other stars might also be affected, particularly those with more intense magnetic fields.

How Magnetic Activity Alters Solar Age Perceptions

The Sun’s magnetic activity, which alternates between solar minimum and maximum, is more influential than previously thought, according to a research paper published in the Astronomy & Astrophysics journal. During periods of high magnetic activity, the oscillations within the Sun—detected by instruments like BISON and GOLF (Global Oscillations at Low Frequency)—produce results that indicate a younger Sun than during times of low magnetic activity.

These oscillations, caused by internal waves within the Sun, change the luminosity and surface movements, allowing scientists to infer details about the Sun’s internal structure and, theoretically, its age. However, the unexpected influence of magnetic activity on these measurements challenges the long-held assumption that such activity should have little impact on helioseismology.

Challenges for Future Stellar Observations

The implications of this discovery extend beyond our Sun. As scientists prepare for the European Space Agency’s upcoming PLATO mission, which is set to launch in 2026, they must now consider the impact of magnetic activity when measuring the age, mass, and radius of distant stars. PLATO aims to detect dips in starlight caused by both transiting exoplanets and asteroseismic oscillations, similar to those observed in the Sun.

If magnetic activity significantly alters these measurements, as seen with the Sun, it could necessitate a reevaluation of past data from missions like NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope. This revelation poses a “looming challenge” for the future of asteroseismology, requiring new methods to ensure accurate measurements of stellar ages, especially for more magnetically active stars.
 

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SpaceX Successfully Deploys 21 Starlink Satellites, Loses Falcon 9 Booster

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March 5, 2025

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SpaceX Successfully Deploys 21 Starlink Satellites, Loses Falcon 9 Booster

A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 21 Starlink satellites was launched by SpaceX from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on March 2. Liftoff took place at 9:24 p.m. ET on March 3, with the mission including 13 satellites equipped with direct-to-cell capabilities. The first stage of the rocket successfully landed on the droneship “Just Read the Instructions” stationed approximately 400 kilometres off Florida’s coast. However, the booster, designated B1086, was lost shortly after landing due to damage sustained by one of its landing legs.

Booster Loss After Landing

According to SpaceX, a fire at the aft end of the booster resulted in structural damage, leading to its collapse. The incident occurred after the rocket had completed its return to Earth and made contact with the landing platform. Data from this failure will be examined to improve the reliability of future Falcon 9 missions, as stated in SpaceX’s official mission description.

Mission Details and Starlink Expansion

The deployment of the 21 satellites took place approximately 65 minutes after launch, marking another step in the expansion of SpaceX’s Starlink constellation. More than 7,000 operational Starlink satellites are currently in orbit, contributing to global broadband coverage.

This launch marked the Falcon 9 booster’s fifth and final flight. The B1086 had previously been used for three Starlink missions, as well as the GOES-U and Maxar 3 missions. SpaceX has completed 26 Falcon 9 missions in 2025, with 19 dedicated to Starlink. The company continues to advance its satellite network despite the loss of the booster in this mission.

For details of the latest launches and news from Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus, Oppo and other companies at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, visit our MWC 2025 hub.

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Primordial Helium-3 May Be Locked in Earth’s Core, Study Finds

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March 5, 2025

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Primordial Helium-3 May Be Locked in Earth’s Core, Study Finds

Helium-3, a rare isotope formed during the early solar system, may be locked within Earth’s solid core, as indicated by recent research. This discovery could provide insights into how quickly the planet was formed. Unlike helium-4, which is commonly produced through radioactive decay, helium-3 originates from the primordial gas cloud that shaped the solar system. While traces of this isotope have been detected in volcanic hotspots and mid-ocean ridges, the mechanism behind its retention for billions of years remains uncertain. Given helium’s volatile nature, most of it was expected to escape Earth’s mantle due to tectonic activity or the giant impact that led to the formation of the Moon.

Helium and Iron Interaction at Core Conditions

According to the study published in Physical Review Letters, researchers at the University of Tokyo led by Kei Hirose examined whether helium could mix with iron under conditions mimicking Earth’s core. Using a diamond-tipped anvil, the team subjected iron and helium to extreme pressures ranging from 50,000 to 550,000 times the atmospheric pressure at Earth’s surface. As per reports, the samples were heated to temperatures between 727 and 2,727 degrees Celsius before being depressurised and analysed at cryogenic temperatures to prevent helium escape. Findings indicated that solid iron could incorporate up to 3.3 percent helium, suggesting the isotope may remain trapped in the core over long periods.

Potential Impact on Earth’s Formation Timeline

Peter Olson, a geophysicist at the University of New Mexico, told that these results confirm helium’s compatibility with Earth’s solid core. However, he noted that only 4 percent of the core is solid, with the majority existing in a liquid state. Further research is needed to determine whether helium-3 could be similarly retained in the liquid portion. Olson also highlighted the significance of this discovery in dating Earth’s formation. If helium-3 was incorporated into the core, it suggests the planet formed rapidly within a few million years. A slower formation process spanning 100 million years would likely have resulted in minimal helium retention.

For details of the latest launches and news from Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus, Oppo and other companies at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, visit our MWC 2025 hub.


SpaceX Delays Starship Flight 8 Launch After Technical Glitches



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SpaceX Delays Starship Flight 8 Launch After Technical Glitches

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March 5, 2025

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SpaceX Delays Starship Flight 8 Launch After Technical Glitches

The scheduled test flight of SpaceX’s Starship Flight 8, which was expected to take off from the company’s Starbase facility in Texas on March 3, has been postponed due to last-minute technical issues. The launch was planned within a window starting at 6:30 p.m. ET with a mission to test various aspects of the rocket’s performance, including booster recovery and satellite deployment. SpaceX has not yet announced a new launch date, but updates are expected soon. The flight was set to be the eighth major test for Starship, which is designed to be the most powerful rocket ever built.

Starship’s Mission and Test Objectives

As per reports, the flight plan, Starship was expected to launch atop its Super Heavy booster, which was intended to return to the launch pad and be caught by the “chopstick” arms of the tower. The upper stage of the rocket was set to release four mock versions of SpaceX’s Starlink satellites on a suborbital trajectory before splashing down in the Indian Ocean approximately 66 minutes after liftoff. A similar test conducted on January 16 with Flight 7 saw the successful recovery of the booster, but the upper stage failed due to a propellant leak, leading to an explosion before it could complete its mission.

NASA’s Interest and Future Developments

NASA has selected Starship as the lunar lander for the Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon in the coming years. The vehicle is also being developed for deep-space missions, including potential crewed journeys to Mars. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has indicated that future iterations of Starship may be even larger than the current model, which stands at 123 metres. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expected to grant approval for up to 25 Starship launches in 2025, marking a significant step toward the rocket’s operational use.

For details of the latest launches and news from Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus, Oppo and other companies at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, visit our MWC 2025 hub.


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