Ancient trees reveal medieval solar storm from 1200 ce

May 14, 2026

Reported by AI

Researchers have uncovered evidence of a powerful solar proton event that struck Earth around 1200 ce by analyzing carbon-14 spikes in ancient Japanese trees and cross-referencing medieval records of red auroras.

The study, led by scientists at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, identified the sub-extreme event as occurring between the winter of 1200 ce and the spring of 1201 ce. It combined ultra-precise carbon-14 measurements from buried asunaro trees in Aomori Prefecture with historical accounts, including descriptions of red lights in the northern sky from a Japanese diary and similar reports from China.

Antarctic ice reveals earth passing through supernova debris

Scientists have detected traces of iron-60 in Antarctic ice up to 80,000 years old, showing that the solar system is moving through material from an ancient stellar explosion. The findings come from a study published in Physical Review Letters and point to the Local Interstellar Cloud as the source of the radioactive isotope.

Scientists observe trees glowing with electricity in thunderstorms

April 22, 2026 Reported by AI

A team of Penn State researchers has captured the first natural observations of trees emitting faint electrical glows, known as corona discharges, during thunderstorms. The discovery, made in North Carolina, confirms a phenomenon long theorized but never seen outside laboratories. These glows may contribute to air cleaning by producing hydroxyl radicals.

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NASA launches three rockets to probe northern lights

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Historians challenge drought link to Roman Britain rebellion

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Arctic wildfires release carbon stored for thousands of years

Dante's inferno may describe ancient asteroid impact, study suggests

New research proposes that Dante Alighieri's 14th-century work Inferno contains an early description of a massive asteroid striking Earth. Timothy Burbery of Marshall University argues the poem depicts Satan as a cosmic impactor that reshapes the planet. The interpretation links literary elements to modern understanding of meteor impacts.

Juno detects Jupiter lightning 100 times stronger than Earth's

March 23, 2026 Reported by AI

NASA's Juno spacecraft has revealed that lightning in Jupiter's storms is at least 100 times more powerful than on Earth, based on data from 2021 and 2022. The findings, published on March 20 in AGU Advances, come as the mission's future hangs in balance due to budget constraints. NASA officials are weighing whether to extend operations amid funding shortfalls.

Assessing risks of asteroid impacts on Earth

An asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago, raising questions about whether humanity faces a similar threat. While large impacts are rare, ongoing monitoring and technology offer ways to mitigate potential dangers. Experts emphasize preparation over worry for this distant risk.

Meteorite fragments damage houses in Rhineland-Palatinate

March 08, 2026 Reported by AI

A meteorite has caused property damage to several houses in Rhineland-Palatinate. Eyewitnesses across western Germany reported a spectacular light show in the sky. Police confirm there is no longer any danger and no one was injured.

May 14, 2026 11:51