Researchers think the hexagon, which is a six-sided jetstream, might act as a barrier that prevents haze particles produced outside it from entering. During the polar winter night between November 1995 and August 2009, Saturn’s north polar atmosphere became clear of aerosols produced by photochemical reactions — reactions involving sunlight and the atmosphere. Since the planet experienced equinox in August 2009, the polar atmosphere has been basking in continuous sunshine, and aerosols are being produced inside of the hexagon, around the north pole, making the polar atmosphere appear hazy today.
Month: October 2016
Tesla’s new solar roof tiles
The current versions of the tiles actually have a two percent loss on efficiency, so 98 percent of what you’d normally get from a traditional solar panel, according to Elon Musk. But the company is working with 3M on improved coatings that have the potential to possibly go above normal efficiency, since it could trap the light within, leading to it bouncing around and resulting in less energy loss overall before it’s fully diffused.
via These are Tesla’s stunning new solar roof tiles for homes | TechCrunch.
Jump to the 11 minute mark where Randy demonstrates the best time-lapses on Earth from his invention Google Earth Engine – Timelapse. Then load up https://earthengine.google.com/timelapse/ and visit your favorite places.
Visualisation of the ExoMars Schiaparelli module entering and descending through the atmosphere to land on Mars.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C43KXGQuUuY
Convert CO2 directly into Ethanol
Scientist created a catalyst that converted a solution of CO2 dissolved in water into ethanol, with a yield of 63 percent. This result was surprising for a couple of reasons: firstly, because it’s effectively reversing the combustion process using a very modest amount of electricity, and secondly, it was able to do this while achieving a relatively high yield of ethanol
Jump to the 1 minute mark of the video for an explanation.
A fusion world record
Scientists have set a new world record for plasma pressure – the ‘key ingredient’ for producing energy from nuclear fusion – which means this clean and sustainable energy source is closer to our grasp than ever before. While this is a great step forward, a viable nuclear fusion reactor ready to power our homes is still a long way off.
Watch 30 years of sand being pushed around on South Stradbroke Island. Or click to anywhere in the world.
https://earthengine.google.com/timelapse/#v=-27.73256,153.44473,11.691,latLng&t=0.31