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The latest phase of the AMoRE (Advanced Mo-based Rare Process Experiment) project has yielded significant findings in the search for neutrinoless double beta decay, a process that could redefine understanding of fundamental particle physics. Conducted at the Yangyang Underground Laboratory in Korea, the study involved the use of molybdate scintillating crystals at extremely low temperatures to detect this elusive nuclear event. While no clear evidence was observed, the research has set a new upper limit on the decay halflife of molybdenum-100, refining the parameters for future experiments in the field.

New Constraints Established

According to the study published in Physical Review Letters, the AMoRE collaboration utilised multiple kilograms of molybdenum-100, a radioactive isotope, in the form of scintillating crystals. The experiment aimed to detect whether two neutrons in a nucleus could decay into two protons without emitting neutrinos, a phenomenon that would confirm the neutrino and antineutrino as identical particles. Detection of this process is considered crucial for exploring matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe.

In an interview with Phys.org, Yoomin Oh, corresponding author of the study, explained that the neutrino is one of the elementary particles in the Standard Model. It was ‘invented’ by Wolfgang Pauli about a hundred years ago and discovered a couple of decades later than that. He added that while neutrinos are among the most abundant particles, their properties, including mass, remain largely unknown.

Next Phase: AMoRE-II at Yemilab

AMoRE-I achieved the highest sensitivity ever recorded for detecting neutrinoless double beta decay in molybdenum-100, but no definitive signal was found. This outcome has refined the experimental approach, with the next phase, AMoRE-II, currently being developed at Yemilab, a newly constructed underground research facility in Korea.

The upcoming phase will involve a significantly larger quantity of molybdenum-based crystal detectors and an upgraded low-temperature detection system. The AMoRE collaboration aims to achieve an even lower background environment, enhancing the sensitivity of the experiment. Data collection for AMoRE-II is expected to begin within the next year, with researchers hoping to uncover new insights into the nature of neutrinos.

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Archaeologists May Have Found 2,100-Year-Old Roman Canal Built by Gaius Marius

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Archaeologists May Have Found 2,100-Year-Old Roman Canal Built by Gaius Marius

A Roman canal dated back more than 2,100 years may have been located in southern France. The structure is believed to be the Marius Canal. It is thought to have been built between 104 and 102 B.C. during the Cimbrian Wars. The Romans had been engaged in battles against the Cimbri and Teutones, two migrating Celtic tribes. The waterway was said to have been ordered by Roman general Gaius Marius to improve supply routes. If confirmed, this would be the first major Roman hydraulic engineering project in Gaul.

Study Suggests Ancient Canal Matches Roman Construction Patterns

According to a study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, the canal’s remains were found south of Arles within the Rhône River delta. The research team which was led by Joé Juncker, a geoarchaeologist at the University of Strasbourg, conducted sediment core analysis and radiocarbon dating. These tests indicate that the site was used between the first century B.C. and third century A.D. The dimensions of the canal which measured approximately 98 feet in width, aligns with Roman engineering standards.

Archaeological Evidence Points to Roman Use

Finding from the site includes 69 pieces of Roman ceramics. It  has two ancient wooden stakes, and large cobblestone platforms. Radiocarbon analysis of the stakes suggests they date back to the first to fourth century A.D. Simon Loseby, an honorary lecturer at the University of Sheffield, told Live Science that the discovery adds to evidence of Roman large-scale infrastructure projects. He noted that further excavations may reveal quays or towpaths, which could provide stronger confirmation of the canal’s purpose and duration of use.

Further Excavations Needed to Confirm Identity of Canal

The last historical mention of the Marius Canal was recorded by Pliny the Elder in the first century A.D. Juncker cautioned that without additional archaeological verification, definitive attribution to Marius remains uncertain. Research at the site continues.

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James Webb Telescope Captures Neptune’s Auroras in Stunning Detail

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James Webb Telescope Captures Neptune’s Auroras in Stunning Detail

Neptune’s elusive auroras have been captured for the first time in newly released images. It offers an unprecedented look at the ice giant’s atmospheric activity. After decades of conjecture, the occurrence of these auroras has been confirmed by direct visual evidence from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Their presence had been hinted at by earlier observations, such as the Voyager 2 flyby data, but photographing them had proven difficult. The telescope’s near-infrared capabilities, which allowed for the remarkably clear detection of these emissions, have been credited with the breakthrough.

Results of the Research

Reportedly, according to research conducted at Northumbria University and the University of Leicester,Neptune’s auroras are said to be very different from those seen on other planets. Neptune’s auroras can be seen in unexpected places, in contrast to Earth, Jupiter, and Saturn, where auroral activity is usually focused near the poles. This anomaly has been linked to the planet’s highly tilted and offset magnetic field, which directs charged particles from the solar wind in unpredictable ways.

Henrik Melin, a planetary scientist at Northumbria University, stated that seeing the auroras with such precision was unexpected. 

Role of H₃⁺ and Temperature Decline

Data collected using JWST’s Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) provided additional insights into Neptune’s ionosphere, where auroras form. A key discovery was the presence of trihydrogen cation (H₃⁺), an ion commonly associated with auroral emissions on gas giants. JWST scientist Heidi Hammel explained that detecting H₃⁺ was crucial. She said that H3+ has been a clear signifier on all the gas giants—Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus—of auroral activity and they expected to see the same on Neptune, highlighting that previous ground-based efforts had failed to confirm this.

Temperature measurements taken from the JWST observations also revealed a striking finding—Neptune’s upper atmosphere has cooled significantly since Voyager 2’s 1989 flyby. Melin noted that the recorded temperature in 2023 was just over half of what was observed during the spacecraft’s visit. The decrease in temperature may have contributed to the difficulty in detecting auroras, as cooler conditions result in weaker emissions.

Future Observations and Research

The study has reinforced the need for infrared-sensitive instruments in future missions aimed at studying the outer planets. Leigh Fletcher, a planetary scientist at the University of Leicester, said that JWST’s ability to capture Neptune’s auroras has set a new benchmark. He stated that this observatory has opened the window onto this last, previously hidden ionosphere of the giant planets. Scientists plan to conduct further observations to understand Neptune’s atmospheric and magnetic interactions fully.
 

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Mysterious Light Spiral Over Europe Traced to SpaceX Falcon 9 Reentry

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Mysterious Light Spiral Over Europe Traced to SpaceX Falcon 9 Reentry

A bright, mesmerising light was seen painting the night sky across several parts of Europe on March 24. Witnesses from the United Kingdom including Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Leicestershire, Suffolk, and Essex along with observers in Wales, Sweden, Croatia, Poland, and Hungary, reported a stunning glowing vortex that lingered in the atmosphere for roughly 12 minutes before slowly dissipating.

Light Spiral Caused by SpaceX Rocket Reentry

According to the reports, the Falcon 9 rocket, which was responsible for this celestial display was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 1:48 p.m. ET. The spacecraft was transporting a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office. Following the completion of its mission, the rocket’s second stage began its descent, initiating a spectacular visual phenomenon. As the remaining fuel was released into space, it crystallized into minuscule ice particles. Sunlight then caught these frozen droplets, generating the distinctive swirling pattern. The unique spiral shape emerged from the rocket’s rotational movement during its downward trajectory.

Increasing SpaceX Spiral Sightings

In recent years, the public has been captivated by similar cosmic spectacles. A “horned” spiral appeared in the sky above Europe in May 2024, and an aurora-coinciding launch in April 2023 created a dazzling blue spiral over Alaska. Similar structures were recorded by Hawaii’s Subaru Telescope on Mauna Kea in January 2023 and April 2022.

Although not all Falcon 9 reentry produces such observable spirals, aerospace experts point out that their frequency has grown in tandem with the rising number of rocket launches. By monitoring launch dates and predicted paths, astronomers can usually predict these events. But in this case, because the operation was classified, advance information was kept secret, which gave the night sky a sense of unanticipated amazement.

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