
An solar flare classed X3.3 erupted on 9 February 2024, seen in extreme ultraviolet. Credit: NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory
Featured Research
Solar flare fritzed satellite tracking of aircraft
To avoid collisions, pilots and air traffic controllers rely on a network of global navigation satellites. But the network is susceptible to heavy weather in space. A strong solar flare on 9 February 2024 caused gaps and position errors in data broadcasts of aircraft identity and location. Researchers describe the event and offer solutions. [Space Weather study]
Weird weather in North Atlantic impacts tropical Pacific tuna catch
A new study explains how spring water temperatures in the North Atlantic can make waves in the autumn yellowfin tuna population, far away in the Pacific warm pool. A pattern of unusual sea surface temperatures called the North Atlantic Tripole is associated with 8.3% larger catch in its positive phase and 16.9% smaller catch in its negative phase. [Geophysical Research Letters study]
Can the world’s cargo ships meet carbon targets?
The U.N.’s International Maritime Organization member (IMO) countries (absent the United States) agreed Friday to levy carbon fees encouraging adoption of cleaner fuels. International shipping conveys over 80% of global trade by volume and emits an estimated 3% of the world’s greenhouse gases. Surveyed experts predict the industry can hit the IMO’s 2030 carbon targets with operational improvements. Longer term gains will require alternative fuels. [Earth’s Future study][UBC press release]
When ice ages end, ocean circulation fine-tunes ocean heat
New Antarctic ice core data bolster model predictions of ocean heat content during glacials and interglacials. [research spotlight][Geophysical Research Letters study]
Martian magmas live long and prosper
Marsquakes detected by the InSight rover at Cerberus Fossae may be volcanic.[Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets study][Editors’ highlight]