The Earth's magnetic field, or magnetosphere, stretches from the planet's core out into space, where it meets the solar wind, a stream of charged particles emitted by the sun. For the most part, the magnetosphere acts as a shield to protect the Earth from this high-energy solar activity.
With the rise of online open course platforms such as Khan Academy, MIT OpenCourseWare and iTunes U, it has never been easier to teach yourself everything from American history to semiconductor manufacturing. These courses enable students to advance at their own pace while accessing the limitless resources available on the internet for supplemental material.
A new study provides the first conclusive proof of the existence of a space wind first proposed theoretically over 20 years ago.
Troubled TV maker Panasonic is likely to prune off its plasma business over the next three years.
A multinational team says it's finally explained how the behavior of plasma - the extremely hot gases of nuclear fusion - can be controlled using ultra-thin lithium films on graphite walls lining thermonuclear magnetic fusion devices.
Our atmosphere isn't the only place where turbulence is found: it happens out in space too. And now, for the first time, a team led by the University of Iowa has recreated and measured this phenomenon in the laboratory.
A recent study by an international team of astronomers has determined that Earth's moon does indeed have a far-reaching, invisible influence on the Sun's solar wind.
Spectacular Northern Lights may be visible tonight across the northern hemisphere, following a solar eruption on Sunday night.
As most manufacturers are gingerly increasing their 3D TV sizes over the span of a few months, Panasonic has already announced shipment of a 3D set that is twice the size of any other commercial unit on the market today.
Of the estimated 300,000 3D TV sets that have been sold worldwide, 270,000 have been Samsung units, leaving other powerful companies to fight for the remaining scraps.
The inventors of modern-day GPS and an inventor credited with paving the path for plasma TV technology are among the 2010 inductees to the Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame.