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New research led by the University of California, Riverside, suggests that a slowdown in a significant ocean current may help reduce Arctic warming projections by up to 2 degrees Celsius by the century’s end. The study was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, investigating how a slowing Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) could affect the rate of warming in the Arctic, a region currently warming at a rate three to four times faster than the global average.

Impact of AMOC on Arctic Temperatures

The AMOC, a crucial part of Earth’s climate system, transports heat from tropical regions to higher latitudes. According to  the study, a weakening AMOC could mean less heat reaching the Arctic, thereby slowing the region’s warming. Without this factor, Arctic temperatures are projected to rise by up to 10 degrees Celsius by the century’s end; factoring in the AMOC, this rise may be limited to around 8 degrees.

Challenges for Arctic Ecosystems Despite Slower Warming

While a reduced temperature increase might offer some relief, Arctic ecosystems still face considerable challenges. Sea ice continues to melt, posing a threat to polar bears and other wildlife dependent on ice-covered habitats for survival. With ice disappearing, open water absorbs more sunlight, intensifying the warming process—a phenomenon known as the albedo effect. Wei Liu, associate professor of climate change at UC Riverside and co-author of the study, cautioned that while the AMOC slowdown could slow Arctic warming, the consequences are complex. “This is not simply a good-news story,” he remarked. “The broader impact on ecosystems and weather patterns may still be profound.”

Potential Global Impacts of AMOC Slowdown

The study also warns of possible climate disruptions beyond the Arctic. For instance, a slower AMOC may shift the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), a tropical rain belt, southward. Such a shift could increase droughts in areas reliant on the ITCZ’s rainfall for agriculture and water supplies. Additionally, the study notes that while melting sea ice does not directly impact sea levels, other factors like melting land ice and the thermal expansion of warming ocean waters do contribute to rising sea levels.

Future Uncertainty and Climate Complexity

The research team used a climate model integrating ocean, atmosphere, land, and sea ice interactions, isolating the AMOC’s effect by conducting simulations under different scenarios. While this provided insights, the researchers acknowledge ongoing uncertainties about the AMOC’s long-term behaviour. Direct AMOC measurements have only been available since 2004, limiting data on its historical trends and future trajectory. “There’s still debate about whether the slowdown will continue or if a total collapse might happen by century’s end,” Lee noted.

Despite the temporary relief a weaker AMOC might offer, Lee emphasised the importance of a global perspective. “Even small shifts in ocean circulation can lead to ripple effects across the planet,” she said. “The future of the Arctic—and our world—depends on the actions we take now to address climate change.”

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Earth’s Oceans Enter Danger Zone Due to Rising Acidification, New Study Warns

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June 15, 2025

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Earth’s Oceans Enter Danger Zone Due to Rising Acidification, New Study Warns

The oceans of Earth are in worse condition than it was, thought, said the scientists. This is because of the increased acidity levels that led the sea to enter the danger zone five years ago. As per the new study, oceans are more acidic by releasing carbon dioxide from industrial activities such as fossil fuel burning. This acidification of the oceans damages marine life and the ecosystem, in turn threatening the coastal human communities that are dependent on healthy waters for their life.

Oceans May Have Crossed the Danger Zone in 2020

In the study published on Monday, June 9, 2025, in the journal Global Change Biology, researchers have found that acidification is highly advanced tha it was considered in the previous years. Our oceans might have entered the danger zone in the year 2020. Previous research suggested that the oceans of Earth were approaching a danger zone for ocean acidification.

How Ocean Acidification Happens

Ocean acidification is driven by the absorption of ocean of excess CO2 into the ocean, which is rapidly contributing to the global crisis. CO2 dissolves in seawater, forming carbonic acid, lowering pH levels and invading the vital carbonate ions. This threatens the species in the water, such as corals and shellfish, which depend on calcium carbonate to build their skeletons and shells.

The Planetary Boundary May Be Breached

Recent research depicts that the ocean acidification levels may now be breached, crossing the previous estimate of a 19% aragonite decline from the previous industrial levels. Scientists are alarmed that this change could destabilise the ecosystems of marine and, in turn, the coastal economies. This is a ticking bomb with socioeconomic and environmental consequences.

Global Consequences of Acidification

The recent findings suggest that scientists have feared in the past. Ocean acidification has reached dangerous levels, exceeding the limit that is needed to maintain a healthy and stable environment. As critical habitats degrade, the rippling effects are expected to cause harm to biodiversity, impact food security for many of the people who depend on the oceans for their livelihood.

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NASA Chandra Spots Distant X-Ray Jet; Telescope Faces Major Budget Cuts

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June 15, 2025

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NASA Chandra Spots Distant X-Ray Jet; Telescope Faces Major Budget Cuts

NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory has detected an enormous X-ray jet from quasar J1610+1811, observed at a distance of about 11.6 billion light-years (roughly 3 billion years after the Big Bang). The jet spans over 300,000 light-years and carries particles moving at roughly 92–98% of the speed of light. It is visible in X-rays because high-energy electrons in the jet collide with the much denser cosmic microwave background at that epoch, boosting microwave photons into X-ray energies. These results were presented at the 246th AAS meeting and accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal.

Discovery of the Distant X-ray Jet

According to the study, Chandra’s high-resolution X-ray imaging, combined with radio data, allowed the team to isolate the jet at such a great distance. At the quasar’s distance (about 3 billion years after the Big Bang), the cosmic microwave background was much denser. As a result, relativistic electrons in the jet efficiently scatter CMB photons to X-ray energies. From the multiwavelength data the researchers infer that the jet’s particles are moving at roughly 0.92–0.98 c. Such near-light-speed outflows are among the fastest known.

These powerful jets carry enormous energy into intergalactic space and provide a unique probe of how black holes influenced their surroundings during the universe’s early “cosmic noon” era.

Chandra’s Future at Risk

However, the Chandra mission now faces possible defunding: NASA’s proposed budget calls for drastic cuts to its operating funds. For nearly 25 years, Chandra has been a cornerstone of X-ray astronomy, so its loss would constitute a major setback. The SaveChandra campaign warns that losing Chandra would be an “extinction-level event” for U.S. X-ray astronomy. Scientists warn that ending Chandra prematurely would cripple X-ray science.

Andrew Fabian commented Science magazine, “I’m horrified by the prospect of Chandra being shut down prematurely”. Elisa Costantini added in an interview with Science that if cuts proceed, “you will lose a whole generation ” and it will leave “a hole in our knowledge” of high-energy astrophysics. Without Chandra’s capabilities, many studies of the energetic universe would no longer be possible.

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JWST Reveals Pluto’s Haze Cools Atmosphere, Paints Charon’s Poles Red

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June 15, 2025

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JWST Reveals Pluto’s Haze Cools Atmosphere, Paints Charon’s Poles Red

Pluto and its moon Charon are shown with a thin haze of organic particles covering Pluto’s sunlit side. The haze both cools Pluto’s upper atmosphere by radiating heat into space and absorbs ultraviolet light that helps propel methane molecules to escape. This explains why Pluto’s mesosphere is colder than expected and why methane is leaking and even coating Charon’s poles red. The effect was predicted by Xi Zhang, and new JWST/MIRI observations confirm it. The results have implications for understanding Titan’s haze and Earth’s early atmosphere.

A Haze that Cools and Warms Pluto

According to a new study, using JWST’s mid-infrared observations, a team led by Tanguy Bertrand detected thermal emission from this haze layer. The tiny aerosol particles are thought to be complex hydrocarbons (“tholins”) and ices. These particles absorb the Sun’s ultraviolet light, heating the upper atmosphere and giving methane molecules extra energy. The haze then re-radiates that energy as infrared light, cooling the middle layers.

In fact, Zhang’s models show Pluto’s gases alone would overheat the mesosphere, so the haze must supply net cooling to balance the energy budget. Together, these effects mean the haze largely controls Pluto’s atmospheric energy balance. How much net warming versus cooling occurs depends on particle size and composition.

Haze Drives Escape and Paints Charon Red

Pluto’s atmosphere is so thin that any nudge can send molecules into space. Planetary scientist Will Grundy estimated Pluto loses about 1.3 kg/s of methane, with roughly 2.5% intercepted by Charon. The haze layer provides that nudge: its particles absorb solar UV light, heating molecules until they can escape Pluto’s gravity. The escaping methane then deposits on Charon’s poles, where radiation transforms it into complex, reddish tholin compounds.

This process effectively lets Pluto “paint” Charon’s poles with organic red stain—a phenomenon not seen elsewhere in the Solar System. By linking Pluto’s climate and Charon’s surface chemistry, the haze-driven escape provides a rare example of atmospheric exchange on icy worlds.

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