Talcott Mountain Science Center & Academy

Solar flares are nature's most spectacular light shows - massive bursts of energy from our Sun that release more power in seconds than humans could generate in millions of years. These intense explosions of radiation can travel across our solar system, reminding us of our star's immense power. ?? When particularly strong flares are directed at Earth, they can disrupt radio communications, impact power grids, and create stunning auroras visible far from the poles. Scientists monitor these solar events 24/7 to provide early warnings and protect our technological infrastructure from these cosmic storms. ?? Have you ever witnessed the northern lights created by solar flare activity reaching our atmosphere? Follow @Science for more fascinating insights into solar phenomena! #solarflares #space #astrophysics #science

Listen to the sound of Earth’s magnetic flip: Around 41,000 years ago, Earth's magnetic field temporarily reversed in the Laschamp event, during which its strength dropped to just 5% of today's level, allowing more cosmic rays to penetrate the atmosphere. Scientists from the Technical University of Denmark and the German Research Centre for Geosciences used data from ESA’s Swarm mission to visualize and sonify this event, converting magnetic field data into sound using recordings of natural noises like wood creaking and rocks falling. This approach, similar to composing music, creates an eerie, alien-like soundscape. The Swarm satellites, which collect magnetic signals from Earth's core, mantle, crust, oceans, ionosphere, and magnetosphere, provide data to study geomagnetic reversals and internal dynamics. The first magnetic field sonification from Swarm data was played through a 32-speaker system in Copenhagen, with each speaker representing magnetic field changes over the past 100,000 years.

From Drought to Disaster: The Science Behind Flash Floods ?? After a long drought, you might think the land is ready to soak up rain like a sponge. But in reality, the opposite happens! Extended dry spells make the soil hard and compact, reducing its ability to absorb water. So, when heavy rainfall suddenly arrives, the water runs off rapidly instead of sinking in. ??? To make matters worse, droughts often strip away vegetation, removing the roots that normally hold soil in place and help absorb moisture. With no plants to slow the flow, excess water rushes into rivers, streams, and low-lying areas—leading to sudden, dangerous flash floods. ?? This mix of hardened ground, lost plant cover, and intense rainfall creates unpredictable and extreme flooding events. ?? Did you know that the driest places can experience some of the most severe floods? What other surprising weather phenomena have you come across? ?? ??- @uniofreading @r0b1et Follow @Science for continuous discovery! ?? #nature #science #climate #environment

As a child, Maryam Mirzakhani dreamed of becoming a writer. Nalini Anantharaman wanted to be a classical pianist. Laura Monk thought she’d be a teacher. Instead, they all became mathematicians. Thanks to their work, we now know more about hyperbolic surfaces than ever before. https://lnkd.in/eE9ev8hx

Cambridge researchers have unveiled a robotic prosthetic that's redefining human capability. This isn't just an extra digit - it's a window into a future where the line between human and technology beautifully blurs! ?? The Third Thumb seamlessly integrates with natural movement, allowing users to perform complex tasks with unprecedented dexterity. From helping those with disabilities to enhancing everyday capabilities, this innovation shows we're not just adapting technology to humans - we're evolving together. ? How would you use an extra thumb in your daily life?? Credits: @cambridgeuniversity Follow @Science for more on human augmentation breakthroughs! #science #cambridge#biotech

#WomenAndGirlsInAstronomy In 2025, the Sun will experience a maximum in its activity, providing the citizens of Earth with a magnificent show of solar events. To celebrate this Solar System-wide event, this year’s Women and Girls in Astronomy events will focus on the #WomenOfSolarPhysics. Though we will host special events and activities on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11 February) and International Women’s Day (8 March), we celebrate this theme throughout the whole year and encourage the public to join us! You can register for our first event here: https://lnkd.in/gW9NrgnP

We humans are approaching seventy years of leaving Earth for orbit or beyond. And, through continuous operation of the International Space Station, we have conducted a human mission in space that's already lasted as long as a human generation.

The next time you move, consider mathematician Joseph Gerver’s 18-piece sofa. It’s the biggest shape that can slide down an L-shaped hallway… though maybe not the easiest to assemble. https://lnkd.in/dnGcU6cy

??This stunning nebula was first catalogued in 1654 by the Italian astronomer?Giovanni Battista Hodierna, who sought to record nebulous objects in the night sky so they would not be mistaken for comets.???https://lnkd.in/eNSGVqQD Credits: NASA, ESA, STScI ESA Hubble and Webb Space Telescopes Space Telescope Science Institute NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

The International Year of Quantum Science & Technology is now officially begun.