What to expect from this year’s Orionid meteor shower
ExoMars briefing
Replay of ExoMars media briefing on 20 October at ESA’s Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany
Schiaparelli descent data: decoding underway
Essential data from the ExoMars Schiaparelli lander sent to its mothership Trace Gas Orbiter during the module’s descent to the Red Planet’s surface yesterday has been downlinked to Earth and is currently being analysed by experts.
Juno Spacecraft in Safe Mode for Latest Jupiter Flyby Scientists Intrigued by Data from First Flyby
Juno mission managers are working to bring the spacecraft out of safe mode, while the science team shares interesting findings from the August 27 Jupiter flyby.
Juno Spacecraft in Safe Mode for Latest Jupiter Flyby Scientists Intrigued by Data from First Flyby
Juno mission managers are working to bring the spacecraft out of safe mode, while the science team shares interesting findings from the August 27 Jupiter flyby.
ExoMars briefing
Watch live: Status report on the ExoMars mission. Streaming starts 08:00 GMT / 10:00 CEST
ExoMars TGO reaches Mars orbit while EDM situation under assessment
The Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) of ESA’s ExoMars 2016 has successfully performed the long 139-minute burn required to be captured by Mars and entered an elliptical orbit around the Red Planet, while contact has not yet been confirmed with the mission’s test lander from the surface.
Signals from Mars
Initial signals received from Mars indicate the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter has completed its orbit insertion manoeuvre as planned. Mission teams continue waiting for confirmation of progress from the Schiaparelli lander
Direct Observation of a Long-Range Field Effect from Gate Tuning of Nonlocal Conductivity
Author(s): Lin Wang, Ignacio Gutiérrez-Lezama, Céline Barreteau, Dong-Keun Ki, Enrico Giannini, and Alberto F. Morpurgo
An unconventional long-range field effect in WTe2 is used to gate-tune the bulk properties of the material. This method could be used to gate-tune electronic properties deep in the interior of conducting materials, avoiding limitations imposed by electrostatic screening.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 176601] Published Wed Oct 19, 2016
High Efficiency Energy Extraction from a Relativistic Electron Beam in a Strongly Tapered Undulator
Author(s): N. Sudar, P. Musumeci, J. Duris, I. Gadjev, M. Polyanskiy, I. Pogorelsky, M. Fedurin, C. Swinson, K. Kusche, M. Babzien, and A. GoverAn unprecedented amount of energy extracted from a relativistic electron beam is converted into coherent rad…
Experimental Time-Optimal Universal Control of Spin Qubits in Solids
Author(s): Jianpei Geng, Yang Wu, Xiaoting Wang, Kebiao Xu, Fazhan Shi, Yijin Xie, Xing Rong, and Jiangfeng DuNew experiments find the fastest way to manipulate logic gates with two qubits as inputs.[Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 170501] Published Wed Oct 19, …
High Efficiency Energy Extraction from a Relativistic Electron Beam in a Strongly Tapered Undulator
Author(s): N. Sudar, P. Musumeci, J. Duris, I. Gadjev, M. Polyanskiy, I. Pogorelsky, M. Fedurin, C. Swinson, K. Kusche, M. Babzien, and A. GoverAn unprecedented amount of energy extracted from a relativistic electron beam is converted into coherent rad…
Experimental Time-Optimal Universal Control of Spin Qubits in Solids
Author(s): Jianpei Geng, Yang Wu, Xiaoting Wang, Kebiao Xu, Fazhan Shi, Yijin Xie, Xing Rong, and Jiangfeng DuNew experiments find the fastest way to manipulate logic gates with two qubits as inputs.[Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 170501] Published Wed Oct 19, …
Direct Observation of a Long-Range Field Effect from Gate Tuning of Nonlocal Conductivity
Author(s): Lin Wang, Ignacio Gutiérrez-Lezama, Céline Barreteau, Dong-Keun Ki, Enrico Giannini, and Alberto F. Morpurgo
An unconventional long-range field effect in WTe2 is used to gate-tune the bulk properties of the material. This method could be used to gate-tune electronic properties deep in the interior of conducting materials, avoiding limitations imposed by electrostatic screening.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 176601] Published Wed Oct 19, 2016
ESA and Roscosmos may have lost their ExoMars lander
All is not well on the fourth planet.
NASA’s Juno spacecraft entered safe mode
Juno was 13 hours from its closest approach to Jupiter when it went into safe mode
Planet Nine may be responsible for tilting the Sun
How our possible rogue planet may be messing with our solar system
Astronomers obtain the sharpest-ever image of Eta Carinae
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Radioastronomy have captured the sharpest, clearest image of the Eta Carinae star system.
Dots in the landscape
Technology image of the week: False-colour crops bloom in the Saudi Arabian desert, imaged by ESA’s Proba-V minisatellite
New Horizons: Possible Clouds on Pluto, Next Target is Reddish
The next target for NASA’s New Horizons mission — which made a historic flight past Pluto in July 2015 — apparently bears a colorful resemblance to its famous, main destination.
Cloudy Nights, Sunny Days on Distant Hot Jupiters
A new study finds clues to where clouds gather on hot Jupiters, and what they’re likely made of.
Historical Records May Underestimate Sea Level Rise
A new NASA/university study finds tide gauges, the longest, best-quality historical records of ocean water levels, may have underestimated 20th century global sea level rise.
New Horizons: Possible Clouds on Pluto, Next Target is Reddish
The next target for NASA’s New Horizons mission — which made a historic flight past Pluto in July 2015 — apparently bears a colorful resemblance to its famous, main destination.
Historical Records May Underestimate Sea Level Rise
A new NASA/university study finds tide gauges, the longest, best-quality historical records of ocean water levels, may have underestimated 20th century global sea level rise.
Cloudy Nights, Sunny Days on Distant Hot Jupiters
A new study finds clues to where clouds gather on hot Jupiters, and what they’re likely made of.
ExoMars is set to land on the Red Planet
The mission co-launched by ESA and the Russian Federal Space Agency is landing on Mars tomorrow.
Boosting Europe’s all-electric satellites
Today, ESA astronaut Tim Peake opened a UK facility that will expand Europe’s capability with satellites that rely wholly on electric propulsion.
Testing the waters
Human spaceflight and robotic exploration image of the week: Testing drinking water on the International Space Station
Here’s why New Horizon’s post-Pluto destination is important
2014MU69 may not look like much, but the tiny chunk of ice could unlock big mysteries about the solar system.
Juno’s engines hit a misfiring snag, delaying second orbital maneuver
Something’s amis with NASA’s latest Jupiter mission.
Venus explodes with volcanoes in the present day
Our “twin” planet has some pretty Earth-like violent eruptions.
Quantum Phase Transition in the Shape of Zr isotopes
Author(s): Tomoaki Togashi, Yusuke Tsunoda, Takaharu Otsuka, and Noritaka Shimizu
High-resolution inelastic electron scattering on 96Zr establishes shape coexistence—where two nearby states possess distinct shapes—for this nucleus. Monte Carlo shell-model calculations indicate that the shape change in Zr isotopes is a quantum phase transition.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 172502] Published Mon Oct 17, 2016
Microwave-Induced Oscillations in Magnetocapacitance: Direct Evidence for Nonequilibrium Occupation of Electronic States
Author(s): S. I. Dorozhkin, A. A. Kapustin, V. Umansky, K. von Klitzing, and J. H. Smet
Experiments show that microwave-induced magneto-oscillations in the capacitance of two-dimensional electron gases differ from the corresponding oscillations in resistance. The oscillations reflect a nonequilibrium energy distribution of electrons and support a quantum origin of the effect.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 176801] Published Mon Oct 17, 2016
First Measurement of Collectivity of Coexisting Shapes Based on Type II Shell Evolution: The Case of ^{96} Zr
Author(s): C. Kremer, S. Aslanidou, S. Bassauer, M. Hilcker, A. Krugmann, P. von Neumann-Cosel, T. Otsuka, N. Pietralla, V. Yu. Ponomarev, N. Shimizu, M. Singer, G. Steinhilber, T. Togashi, Y. Tsunoda, V. Werner, and M. Zweidinger
High-resolution inelastic electron scattering on 96Zr establishes shape coexistence—where two nearby states possess distinct shapes—for this nucleus. Monte Carlo shell-model calculations indicate that the shape change in Zr isotopes is a quantum phase transition.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 172503] Published Mon Oct 17, 2016
First Measurement of Collectivity of Coexisting Shapes Based on Type II Shell Evolution: The Case of ^{96} Zr
Author(s): C. Kremer, S. Aslanidou, S. Bassauer, M. Hilcker, A. Krugmann, P. von Neumann-Cosel, T. Otsuka, N. Pietralla, V. Yu. Ponomarev, N. Shimizu, M. Singer, G. Steinhilber, T. Togashi, Y. Tsunoda, V. Werner, and M. Zweidinger
High-resolution inelastic electron scattering on 96Zr establishes shape coexistence—where two nearby states possess distinct shapes—for this nucleus. Monte Carlo shell-model calculations indicate that the shape change in Zr isotopes is a quantum phase transition.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 172503] Published Mon Oct 17, 2016
Microwave-Induced Oscillations in Magnetocapacitance: Direct Evidence for Nonequilibrium Occupation of Electronic States
Author(s): S. I. Dorozhkin, A. A. Kapustin, V. Umansky, K. von Klitzing, and J. H. Smet
Experiments show that microwave-induced magneto-oscillations in the capacitance of two-dimensional electron gases differ from the corresponding oscillations in resistance. The oscillations reflect a nonequilibrium energy distribution of electrons and support a quantum origin of the effect.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 176801] Published Mon Oct 17, 2016
Quantum Phase Transition in the Shape of Zr isotopes
Author(s): Tomoaki Togashi, Yusuke Tsunoda, Takaharu Otsuka, and Noritaka Shimizu
High-resolution inelastic electron scattering on 96Zr establishes shape coexistence—where two nearby states possess distinct shapes—for this nucleus. Monte Carlo shell-model calculations indicate that the shape change in Zr isotopes is a quantum phase transition.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 172502] Published Mon Oct 17, 2016
Hello, Mars
Space Science Image of the Week: A recent view of the Red Planet by ESA’s Mars Express workhorse, soon to be joined by ExoMars
Watch ExoMars live
Following separation of the Schiaparelli lander from its orbiter, ExoMars is now preparing to arrive at Mars. Watch live coverage from 13:00 GMT / 15:00 CEST on Wednesday
Realtime Mars descent
Follow alongside Schiaparelli’s six-minute descent to the surface of Mars with this realtime animation
Voyager 2 data may be hiding two new Uranian moons
Two ring moons may be hiding in plain sight around Uranus.
A few ideas for teaching environmental physics
Unlike a typical university physics course there is no standardised syllabus for environmental
physics. The topics covered also range beyond what is normally part of the physics curriculum,
requiring the instructor to become knowledgeable about field…
The use of smartphones to teach kinematics: an inexpensive activity
This frontline seeks to reinterpret a classic kinematic experiment that aims to mark the position
and temporal instants of a fictional mobile object in a uniform motion, creating a table based on
position × time and a linear graphic format. Generall…
Extreme value problems without calculus: a good link with geometry and elementary maths
Some classical examples of problem solving, where an extreme value condition is required, are here
considered and/or revisited. The search for non-calculus solutions appears pedagogically useful and
intriguing as shown through a rich literature. A te…
Using a new, free spectrograph program to critically investigate acoustics
We have developed an online spectrograph program with a bank of over 30 audio clips to visualise a
variety of sounds. Our audio library includes everyday sounds such as speech, singing, musical
instruments, birds, a baby, cat, dog, sirens, a jet, thu…
Reviews
Description unavailable
Störmer problem restricted to a spherical surface and the Euler and Lagrange tops
In a recent work, Cortés and Poza (2015 Eur. J. Phys. 36
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0143-0807/36/5/055009] 055009 ) analysed, in full, the dynamics of a
charged particle in the field of a magnetic dipole restricted to a spherical surface with the di…
An introduction to photocatalysis through methylene blue photodegradation
We described a simple experimental set-up for lab work on the photocatalytic degradation of
methylene blue by TiO 2 nanoparticles. The photocatalysis process can be used for many applications.
Treatments for diluted wastewater industries, air purifyi…
Theory of grazing electromagnetic induction
We calculate the emf produced when a square loop grazes a point dipole, moving parallel to it. To do
this we combine analytical and numerical work. An emf signal with a three-peak structure which was
previously observed is thus explained, while other…
A few ideas for teaching environmental physics
Unlike a typical university physics course there is no standardised syllabus for environmental
physics. The topics covered also range beyond what is normally part of the physics curriculum,
requiring the instructor to become knowledgeable about field…
Reviews
Description unavailable
Using a new, free spectrograph program to critically investigate acoustics
We have developed an online spectrograph program with a bank of over 30 audio clips to visualise a
variety of sounds. Our audio library includes everyday sounds such as speech, singing, musical
instruments, birds, a baby, cat, dog, sirens, a jet, thu…
Extreme value problems without calculus: a good link with geometry and elementary maths
Some classical examples of problem solving, where an extreme value condition is required, are here
considered and/or revisited. The search for non-calculus solutions appears pedagogically useful and
intriguing as shown through a rich literature. A te…
The use of smartphones to teach kinematics: an inexpensive activity
This frontline seeks to reinterpret a classic kinematic experiment that aims to mark the position
and temporal instants of a fictional mobile object in a uniform motion, creating a table based on
position × time and a linear graphic format. Generall…
Visualizing dipole radiation
The Hertzian dipole is fundamental to the understanding of dipole radiation. It provides basic
insights into the genesis of electromagnetic waves and lays the groundwork for an understanding of
half-wave antennae and other types. Equations for the el…
Mission Prepares for Next Jupiter Pass
All instruments will be on for the next pass, but a planned engine burn is postponed.
Mission Prepares for Next Jupiter Pass
All instruments will be on for the next pass, but a planned engine burn is postponed.
Mission Prepares for Next Jupiter Pass
All instruments will be on for the next pass, but a planned engine burn will wait until December.
Week In Images
Our week through the lens: 10-14 October 2016
Two-Proton Radioactivity of ^{67} Kr
Author(s): T. Goigoux et al.
The measured half-life for two-proton emission from 67Kr—the heaviest such emitter observed to date—is much shorter than theoretical predictions.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 162501] Published Fri Oct 14, 2016
Josephson Currents Induced by the Witten Effect
Author(s): Flavio S. Nogueira, Zohar Nussinov, and Jeroen van den BrinkType-II superconductors with a topological insulator junction are predicted to generate an AC Josephson effect in the absence of an external voltage.[Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 167002] P…
Josephson Currents Induced by the Witten Effect
Author(s): Flavio S. Nogueira, Zohar Nussinov, and Jeroen van den BrinkType-II superconductors with a topological insulator junction are predicted to generate an AC Josephson effect in the absence of an external voltage.[Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 167002] P…
Two-Proton Radioactivity of ^{67} Kr
Author(s): T. Goigoux et al.
The measured half-life for two-proton emission from 67Kr—the heaviest such emitter observed to date—is much shorter than theoretical predictions.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 162501] Published Fri Oct 14, 2016
Watch ExoMars live
Watch live coverage of the ExoMars orbiter’s arrival at the Red Planet, and its Schiaparelli module’s descent to the surface. Coverage starts 16 October
Ready for the Red Planet
Next week, ESA’s ExoMars has just a single chance to get captured by Mars’ gravity. The spacecraft and the mission controllers who will make it so are ready for arrival.
Vatnajökull
Earth observation image of the week: Iceland’s Vatnajökull glacier and Holuhraun lava field, also featured on the Earth from Space video programme
Teleporting toward a quantum Internet
JPL is involved in a study that tested quantum teleportation underneath the city of Calgary in Canada.
Spacecraft ‘Nuclear Batteries’ Could Get a Boost from New Materials
A cutting-edge development in spacecraft power systems is a powerful material with an unfamiliar name: skutterudite.
Teleporting toward a quantum Internet
JPL is involved in a study that tested quantum teleportation underneath the city of Calgary in Canada.
Spacecraft ‘Nuclear Batteries’ Could Get a Boost from New Materials
A cutting-edge development in spacecraft power systems is a powerful material with an unfamiliar name: skutterudite.
ExoMars updates
Follow mission status updates as the ExoMars orbiter reaches Mars and deploys a lander to its surface
Earth from Space
Join us Friday, 14 October, at 10:00 CEST for the ‘Earth from Space’ video programme. Discover Iceland’s Vatnajökull glacier in this week’s edition
Spinning station
Operations image of the week: A timelapse image makes our deep-space dish in Spain seem to spin
The Universe is 10 times more vast than we thought
There are at least 10 times more galaxies than once thought.
The Universe is 20 times more vast than we thought
The universe seems a little less lonely today.
Astronomers from the University of Nottingham conducted a new survey of the universe’s galaxy population and concluded that previous estimates lowballed the census by a factor of about 20. Using dat…
Breakthrough Listen teams up with NOAC for search of extraterrestrial life
Breakthrough Listen are working with the National Observatory of China and three telescopes to investigate life beyond Earth.
CubeSat times two
Technology image of the week: the contract is signed for ESA’s newest, biggest small nanosatellite yet: the 6-unit GomX-4B CubeSat, seen here flying with its twin
Buried glaciers on Mars
This jumble of eroded blocks lies along the distinctive boundary between the Red Planet’s southern highlands and the northern lowlands, with remnants of ancient glaciers flowing around them.
Students’ common difficulties and approaches while solving conceptual problems with non-identical light bulbs in series and parallel
We discuss a study of student reasoning difficulties and approaches while solving problems about the
brightness of non-identical light bulbs connected in series and parallel. The questions about the
light bulbs can be solved quantitatively even thoug…
The dynamical axes of Kepler motion
Each of the dynamical quantities of Kepler motion—the total energy and the angular
momentum—separately determines a corresponding dynamical axis of the elliptical orbit. The use of
these axes expresses the dynamical quantities on an equal footing…
The dynamics of a stabilised Wien bridge oscillator
We present for the first time analytic solutions for the nonlinear dynamics of a Wien bridge
oscillator stabilised by three common methods: an incandescent lamp, signal diodes, and the field
effect transistor. The results can be used to optimise osci…
Beyond velocity and acceleration: jerk, snap and higher derivatives
The higher derivatives of motion are rarely discussed in the teaching of classical mechanics of
rigid bodies; nevertheless, we experience the effect not only of acceleration, but also of jerk and
snap. In this paper we will discuss the third and high…
Corrigendum: Classical noise, quantum noise and secure communication (2016 Eur. J. Phys. 37 [http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0143-0807/37/1/013001] 013001 [http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0143-0807/37/1/013001] )
Description unavailable
Building Blocks of Life’s Building Blocks Come From Starlight
With new data from Herschel, astronomers better understand how molecules form that are necessary for building other chemicals essential for life.
Building Blocks of Life’s Building Blocks Come From Starlight
With new data from Herschel, astronomers better understand how molecules form that are necessary for building other chemicals essential for life.
Rippled Quasiperpendicular Shock Observed by the Magnetospheric Multiscale Spacecraft
Author(s): A. Johlander, S. J. Schwartz, A. Vaivads, Yu. V. Khotyaintsev, I. Gingell, I. B. Peng, S. Markidis, P.-A. Lindqvist, R. E. Ergun, G. T. Marklund, F. Plaschke, W. Magnes, R. J. Strangeway, C. T. Russell, H. Wei, R. B. Torbert, W. R. Paterson, D. J. Gershman, J. C. Dorelli, L. A. Avanov, B. Lavraud, Y. Saito, B. L. Giles, C. J. Pollock, and J. L. Burch
Satellites orbiting near the edge of Earth’s magnetosphere have measured the velocities of ions accelerated by a shockwave with unprecedented temporal resolution.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 165101] Published Wed Oct 12, 2016
Rippled Quasiperpendicular Shock Observed by the Magnetospheric Multiscale Spacecraft
Author(s): A. Johlander, S. J. Schwartz, A. Vaivads, Yu. V. Khotyaintsev, I. Gingell, I. B. Peng, S. Markidis, P.-A. Lindqvist, R. E. Ergun, G. T. Marklund, F. Plaschke, W. Magnes, R. J. Strangeway, C. T. Russell, H. Wei, R. B. Torbert, W. R. Paterson, D. J. Gershman, J. C. Dorelli, L. A. Avanov, B. Lavraud, Y. Saito, B. L. Giles, C. J. Pollock, and J. L. Burch
Satellites orbiting near the edge of Earth’s magnetosphere have measured the velocities of ions accelerated by a shockwave with unprecedented temporal resolution.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 165101] Published Wed Oct 12, 2016
Scientists find ultraviolet light may create life-essential chemicals
Data from ESA’s Herschel Space Observatory show ultraviolet light may be what creates crucial chemicals
Final exams prepare Thomas Pesquet for launch
What to expect from Schiaparelli’s camera
As the ExoMars Schiaparelli module descends onto Mars on 19 October it will capture 15 images of the approaching surface. Scientists have simulated the view we can expect to see from the descent camera.
In plane oscillation of a bifilar pendulum
The line tensions, the horizontal and vertical accelerations as well as the period of large angle
oscillations parallel to the plane of a bifilar suspension are presented and have been
experimentally investigated using strain gauges and a smart phone…
Team Evaluates New Data Collection Method After Age-Related Issue
Managers are evaluating another way to collect and process data from the Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer on NASA’s Aura satellite after an age-related TES component failure.
Team Evaluates New Data Collection Method After Age-Related Issue
Managers are evaluating another way to collect and process data from the Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer on NASA’s Aura satellite after an age-related TES component failure.
Rahvusvahelisel fotoonikapäeval näidatakse valguskatseid
21. oktoobril 1983. aastal kiideti heaks valguse kiiruse väärtus 299 792 458 m/s – selle sündmuse auks tähistatakse seda päeva kui rahvusvahelist fotoonikapäeva. Sel kuupäeval tähistatakse fotoonikapäeva teistkordselt ka Eestis: Tartu ülikooli füüsika instituut avab huvilistele oma uksed, näitab valguskatseid ning tutvustab viimase aja saavutusi ja valdkonna arenguid Eestis. Fotoonikapäeva ühe korraldaja, Tartu ülikooli füüsika instituudi fotoonikaklastri […]
Sloshing fluids
Human spaceflight and robotic exploration image of the week: Learning about fluids in weightlessness on the Space Station
Hydrogen Bonds in Excited State Proton Transfer
Author(s): D. A. Horke, H. M. Watts, A. D. Smith, E. Jager, E. Springate, O. Alexander, C. Cacho, R. T. Chapman, and R. S. Minns
Hydrogen bonding may safeguard biomolecules against the damaging effects of UV light.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 163002] Published Tue Oct 11, 2016
Cooling Mechanical Oscillators by Coherent Control
Author(s): Martin Frimmer, Jan Gieseler, and Lukas NovotnyTwo oscillation modes of a levitated nanoparticle are cooled to their ground state through coupling of the modes.[Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 163601] Published Tue Oct 11, 2016
Cooling Mechanical Oscillators by Coherent Control
Author(s): Martin Frimmer, Jan Gieseler, and Lukas NovotnyTwo oscillation modes of a levitated nanoparticle are cooled to their ground state through coupling of the modes.[Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 163601] Published Tue Oct 11, 2016
Hydrogen Bonds in Excited State Proton Transfer
Author(s): D. A. Horke, H. M. Watts, A. D. Smith, E. Jager, E. Springate, O. Alexander, C. Cacho, R. T. Chapman, and R. S. Minns
Hydrogen bonding may safeguard biomolecules against the damaging effects of UV light.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 163002] Published Tue Oct 11, 2016
Be extraordinarily cautious about the newest alien claim
It’s (probably) not aliens, yet again.