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For the first time, researchers have successfully controlled and observed Kelvin waves in superfluid helium-4, marking a significant step in understanding energy dissipation in quantum systems. The study has provided a controlled method to excite these helical waves, which had previously only been observed in unpredictable conditions. The research opens new possibilities for studying quantised vortices and their role in energy transfer at the quantum level.

Controlled Excitation of Kelvin Waves

According to the study published in Nature Physics, also available on arXiv, Kelvin waves—first described by Lord Kelvin in 1880—are helical disturbances that travel along vortex lines in superfluid systems. These waves play a crucial role in energy dissipation within quantum fluids but have remained difficult to study due to the challenges of controlled excitation.

Associate Professor Yosuke Minowa from Kyoto University, the lead author of the study, told Phys.org that the breakthrough occurred unexpectedly. An electric field was applied to a nanoparticle decorating a quantised vortex with the intention of moving the structure. Instead, the vortex core exhibited a distinct wavy motion, leading researchers to shift their focus toward controlled Kelvin wave excitation.

Superfluid Properties and Quantum Vortex Behaviour

Superfluid helium-4, which exhibits quantum effects at macroscopic scales when cooled below 2.17 Kelvin, has no viscosity, allowing it to flow without friction. This unique state prevents energy from dissipating as heat, leading to the formation of Kelvin waves when disturbances occur in the vortex lines of the fluid. The research team demonstrated that these waves, rather than traditional fluid turbulence, provide an essential mechanism for energy transfer in superfluid systems.

Nanoparticles Used for Wave Visualisation

To track the motion of Kelvin waves, the researchers introduced silicon nanoparticles into superfluid helium-4 at 1.4 Kelvin by directing a laser at a silicon wafer submerged in the fluid. Some nanoparticles became trapped within vortex cores, making them visible under controlled conditions. A time-varying electric field was then applied, forcing oscillations in the trapped particles and generating a helical wave along the vortex.

Experiments were conducted across different excitation frequencies ranging from 0.8 to 3.0 Hertz. A dual-camera system allowed for three-dimensional reconstruction of the wave’s motion, confirming its helical nature.

Experimental Confirmation and Future Research

Prof. Minowa explained to Phys.org that proving the observed phenomenon was indeed a Kelvin wave required an in-depth analysis of dispersion relations, phase velocity, and three-dimensional dynamics. By reconstructing the vortex’s motion in 3D, the researchers provided direct evidence of the wave’s handedness, confirming its left-handed helical structure—something never experimentally demonstrated before.

To validate their findings, the team developed a vortex filament model, which simulated Kelvin wave excitation under similar conditions. These simulations confirmed that forced oscillations of a charged nanoparticle generated helical waves in both directions, aligning with experimental results.

The study introduces a new approach for studying Kelvin waves in superfluid helium, offering insights into the mechanics of quantised vortices. Future research may explore the nonlinearity and decay processes of Kelvin waves, potentially revealing further details about quantum fluid dynamics.

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Japan Launches Final H-2A Rocket with GOSAT-GW Satellite to Monitor Climate and Oceans

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July 1, 2025

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Japan Launches Final H-2A Rocket with GOSAT-GW Satellite to Monitor Climate and Oceans

Japan launched a satellite which is a dual purpose, for monitoring greenhouse gases and sea temperature. On Saturday, June 28, 2025, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) held its 50th and final launch of the H-2A rocket, launching the GOSAT-GW satellite of dual purpose to space. This mission lifted off from Ypshinobu Launch Complex (LP-1) in Japan at Tenegashima Space Centre at 10:03 p.m. IST. These satellites have been sent by Japan to observe the changes in water cycles and greenhouse gases.

JAXA’s Dual Purpose Satellite Launch

According to JAXA, the Greenhouse Gas and Water Cycle Observation Satellite (GOSA-GW) is a very recent and significant effort of Japan to know about the effect of greenhouse gases and the changes in the cycle of rain. GOSAT-GW has joined the orbit of Earth with GCOM-W2, which is its predecessor, and was launched in 2012, known as SHIZUKU, whereas GOSAT-1, launched in 2009, is known as IBUKI. It is equipped with two main instruments.

More About GOSAT-GW

GOSAT-GW is equipped with two main instruments, the first is called the Advanced Microwave Radiometer (AMSR), and the other is known as the Greenhouse Gases Observation Sensor (TANSO). The former one will measure water cycles and sea surface temperature fluctuations, while the latter one is for monitoring components such as carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere for measuring climate change.

H-2A rocket of Japan has been capable of launching payloads into the geostationary orbit around Earth and also orbiting the Moon. JAXA also launched the Akatsuki spacecraft for studying Venus in 2010; however, the spacecraft failed to enter the orbit of Venus properly.

Japan’s Successful Launch Operations

JAXA launched H-2A for the first time in 2001. With its 25 years in operation, the rocket experienced only a single failure, giving the spacecraft a 98% success rate. After 50 missions, the launch vehicle is now being retired to make way for the H3 rocket of Japan, offering comparable performance at a very reasonable cost.

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SpaceX Launches 53 Starlink Satellites in One Day, Crossing 7,900 Active Units

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July 1, 2025

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SpaceX Launches 53 Starlink Satellites in One Day, Crossing 7,900 Active Units

On June 28, 2025, two Falcon 9 rockets carrying the internet satellite broadband connection lifted off at 12:26 a.m. and 1:13 p.m. EDT. The first one was launched from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, and another from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The new addons for megaconsellation of SpaceX (Group 10-34 and Group 15-7) reached low orbit Earth about 9 minutes after leaving the ground and were deployed after an hour.

According to As per NASA, in the intervening time, the first stage of the Falcon rockets (boosters B1092 and B1088) flew back to the droneships. The landing was on “A Shortfall of Gravitas, “ completing the fifth flight of the boosters. The stage touched down on “Of Course I Still Love You”, with its eighth flight to space and back, in the Pacific Ocean.

The launch at early morning carries 27 Starlink Satellites and the afternoon liftoff lofted 26 more of the relay satellites, vasting the network of SpaceX to more than 7,900 active units, said by satellite tracker Jonathan Mc Dowell.

Broader Deployment Context

The launch in the morning was delayed earlier that day because of the severe weather alerts at Florida, but flew in the near perfect conditions at the visibility of 10 miles. Throughout 2025, SpaceX heald 42 Falcon 9 missions with 28 Starlink launched by June. by mid-June the batch of 26 satellites launched from Vandenberg (Booster B1081’s 15th flight) which contributed to more than 7,600 active satellites by June 12.

Both the missions are a part of an aggressive Starlink deployment, mainly for boosting the low Earth orbit constellation for the global broadband coverage. Now the network expands to approximately 7900 satellites, focusing on the biggest LEO broadband constellation ever.

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Astronomers Discover a Gigantic Supernova Remnant in the Large Magellanic Cloud

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July 1, 2025

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Astronomers Discover a Gigantic Supernova Remnant in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Astronomers international team has employed various satellites and telescopes for performing multiwavelength observations of a supernova remnant known as SNR J0450.4-7050. The result that scientists got after an observational campaign, published on June 18, 2025, on the preprint server arXiv, gained new insights into the properties of this remnant, and observed that it is much larger than thought in the past. Supernova remnants (SNRs) are expanded structures resulting from the explosion of a supernova. It usually lasts for several hundred thousand years before the time it disperses into the interstellar medium.

Multiwavelength Observations Reveal New Details of SNR J0450.4-7050

As per the study by NASA, observations by the scientists indicate that SNRs contain the ejected expansion of material from the explosion and other interstellar material swept by the passage of the shockwave from the star that exploded. SNR studies beyond the Milky Way are important for comprehending the feedback in different evolutionary phases and gaining valuable insights into the local ISM. The Large Magellanic Cloud is the galaxy that has its SNR population explored in depth.

Importance of Studying Supernova Remnants Beyond the Milky Way

The recent observations reveal that SNR J0450.4-7050, a large supernova remnant in the LMC having physical dimensions of 332 by 244 light years, is estimated to have the remnants of around 45,000 years old. Scientists named it Veliki, which means large in Serbian. It also showcases the complex filamentary morphology with different inner and outer shell structures.

Discovery of Veliki: A Large, Aged Remnant in the Large Magellanic Cloud

An astronomer’s group led by Zachary J. Smeaton decided to take a closer observation of SNR J0450.4−7050 by the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder and MeerKAT radio telescope. The SNR showed a high radial surface brightness with one of the lowest average radio spectral indices, with similar remnants.

Unusual Radio Properties Suggest Veliki is a Fully Radiative SNR

These unusual features, according to the scientists, give the prediction that Veliki is mainly a radiative SNR with a high shock compression ratio. This states about the non-thermal spectrum and higher surface brightness and emissions. Further observations of the surrounding environment are needed to confirm the hypothesis with an understanding of the remnants’ nature in a better way.

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