sun

The James Webb captures a lonely object of the size of Jupiter devouring like a miniature sun

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An international astronomer team has witnessed an extraordinary event: a lonely object, with a mass of just 5 to 10 times that of Jupiter, has entered a violent and prolonged growth burst. Using the combined power of James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and him Vary Large Telescope (VLT) of the Southern European Observatory, scientists They have observed How this object, known as Cha J11070768-7626326, drastically increases its brightness and its “food” rhythm, behaving like a miniature star. The importance. This discovery represents the first time that a outbreak of accretion of type “exor”, a phenomenon so far associated with young stars, in a body of planetary mass. The finding is not only a milestone in astronomical observation, but also further blur the borders between what we consider a giant planet and a small star. The mystery. CH 1107-7626 is not a planet in the traditional sense that we all have in our mind. Although it has a mass comparable to that of a gaseous giant, I do not orbit any star and is 620 light years from the earth. Is what is known as an “free planetary mass object” or FFPMO (for its acronym in English). The existence of these lonely bodies raises a fundamental question for astronomy: are giant planets that were expelled from their solar systems, or are smaller stars that can exist in isolation? In order to solve this enigma that astronomers have right now on the table, you have to analyze the gas and dust disc that is around, as well as the way of accumulating the material. The fact that Cha 1107-7626 has an album and feeds on it suggests that its origin is more like that of a star. A cosmic feast. Astronomers observed Cha 1107-7626 in a state of calm in April and May 2025. However, for June, something had changed drastically. The object entered a “indulgence.” This means that its rhythm of ‘food’ began to increase, and in this way it reached a mass increase rate of 10-7 masses of Jupiter per year, the highest ever measured in a planetary mass object. As a result of this frenzy, the objective became between 1.5 and 2 brighter magnitudes in visible light and its optical flow increased between 3 and 6 times. This outbreak remained active for at least two months, since it was still on the end of the observation campaign in August 2026. But the most interesting thing is the speed it has. According to the observations made with the Vray Lark Telescope of the European Observatory, the growth rate is really aggressive, with a record rate of devouring 6,600 million tons per second of dust and gas. Great footprints. Beyond the increase in brightness, the telescopes captured detailed physical changes that reveal the nature of the event. A hydrogen emission line, known as Hα, developed a “double peak” profile with a red displaced absorption. According to the authors, this profile is a “distinctive brand” of the accretion channeled through magnetic fields, a process called “magnetospherical accretion” observed in young stars. But the most surprising finding was the change in the chemistry of the disc. At first, changes in the emission lines of the hydrocarbons molecules that came from the disc during the outbreak were seen. But water vapor also began to appear with a characteristic emission around 6.6 µm. This appeared during the outbreak where there was nothing before and is relevant because it is the first time that chemical changes of this type are observed caused by an increase in accretion. Relevance. This event classifies Cha 1107-7626 as the first “exor” of known planetary mass. Exor outbursts are significant accretion events that are considered key episodes in the early evolution of the stars. They can deeply affect the physical structure and chemical composition of the protoplanetary disk, potentially influencing the early stages of planet formation. Observing this process in such a small object demonstrates that the violent and fundamental mechanisms that the stars build also work at planetary scales. The study of Cha 1107-7626 offers an unprecedented vision of the accretion in the lower mass objects of the universe, providing a new window to understand how both smaller stars and the largest planets are formed. Images | Javier Miranda In Xataka | The most transformer of modern cosmology is just around the corner, according to the hypothesis of these physicists

To build an “artificial sun” we need to be able to move the weight of ten elephants with millimeter precision. This is what China has just done

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In Chinese mythology, Kuafu was a giant who challenged the gods when trying to catch the sun to give light and heat to their people. Centuries later, China re -pursues that same ambition, but now with avant -garde science: to create a “Artificial sun” that provides clean and unlimited energy. And in that way, the engineers have just presented a new protagonist worthy of legend: a colossal robot. The arm for fusion. The Asian giant has developed a remote manipulation platform for future fusion reactors. It is a system with three robotic arms, whose main manipulator can raise up to 60 tons – the weight of ten African elephants – with a millimeter accuracy, According to South China Morning Post. Meanwhile, the two secondary arms stand out for even more extreme precision: ± 0.01 millimeters, which makes it the most advanced remote management system in the field of fusion. Closer to the “artificial sun.” The objective of this whole project is to achieve stable nuclear fusion, that almost inexhaustible energy that mimics the process that occurs in the sun’s core. In fact, China has been breaking records for years in its East experimental reactor, which this year has achieved Maintain a confined plasma for 1,066 seconds, a world record that exceeds 403 seconds Realized in 2023. But for this energy to become commercial, it is necessary to resolve a major challenge: maintenance. The internal components of a reactor, such as coating or the diving, are constantly damaged by heat, radiation and magnetic fields. And this is where this new robot comes into play: no human being could work in these extreme conditions. The in -depth project. The robot is part of the craft (Comprehensive Research Facity for Fusion Technology), an installation in Hefei, Anhui, nicknamed “Kuafu” in honor of the mythical giant. More than 300 scientists and engineers participate in this project, According to SCMPunder the supervision of the Institute of Plasma Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. “We have developed a machine capable of meeting extremely demanding requirements by overcoming obstacles in materials, sensors and control,” explained Pan HongtaoInstitute researcher. The idea is to use craft as a test bank to develop and validate key fusion technologies, including those that will be applied in the future Chinese experimental fusion reactor (CFETR) and in the International Iter project In France. Ready to go into action? For now, we are not talking about an operational robot in a reactor, but of an experimental platform. According to China Dailythe system has already exceeded the evaluation of experts and will serve as an engineering verification platform to ensure that, when reactors enter into operation, remote maintenance is safe and precise. Craft, where it is housed, plans to be completed in the late 2025. Beyond fusion. Although the immediate objective is to maintain fusion reactors, technology is not limited to that field. According to CGTNthe advances achieved in this robot could also be applied in inspection of nuclear plants, aerospace industry, operations with heavy machinery or even emergency rescues. A global career for the artificial sun. The Kuafu robot does not arise in a vacuum. Other countries also develop remote maintenance systems, although with much lower capabilities. The most advanced arm of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan) supports only 2 tons. In contrast, the Chinese robot can manipulate 30 times higher loads. At the international level, the Iter project in France – in which 35 countries participate – will have a system Able to handle up to 45 tons. The new Chinese system already exceeds it in load capacity, although both remain development platforms rather than operating systems. The road map is clear but slow: Chinese experts They calculate that they are still 30 to 50 years to see commercial fusion reactors. And the European Union, with its Eurofusion projectdoes not expect to start testing with plasma until the end of this year. Forecasts The Chinese commitment to nuclear fusion advances with firm steps. The development of a robot capable of lifting 60 tons with surgical precision is not a simple engineering achievement: it is an essential piece for someday fusion reactors to maintain and function stable. Humanity He has been trying to replicate the energy of the sun on earth. With advances like this, China shows that it is determined to be the protagonist in that race. Decades may be missing to see fusion plants in operation, but every step we bring us a little more to that utopia to capture the sun. Image | Freepik Xataka | The largest nuclear fusion project on the planet has survived the setbacks. This is the date on which Iter should be ready

In case Spain did not have enough problems with sun and beach tourism, add a new business: wedding tourism

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There are those who travel to disconnect, to learn about new landscapes, cultures or traditions, to whom he guides his appetite or simply who wants to enjoy relaxing days on a distant beach with a soda in his hand. To all of them is now added a type of tourist difficult to classify and seeks something totally different: marry. Your trips feed the flourishing (and millionaire) Industry of Rinning Weddings And they are already The pillar of some balearic farms. The ‘yes I want’ as a new rising tourist asset. Two words: Rinning Weddings. The concept is not new, but a quick search on Google is enough to verify that little by little gains strength in Spain. The Rinning Weddings or ‘destination weddings’ are neither more nor less than what the term suggests: couples who, instead of getting married in the city in which they live or in which some of the bride and groom are sought, choose to give the ‘yes I want’ far away. In another city or region. It may even that in another country, including destinations as exotic as Las Vegas or some Greek island. The idea is very simple: that the wedding is more than a wedding for boyfriends and guests, that is also a getaway. A juicy business. It is not easy to provide precise (and updated) data on how many Spanish partners travel to other countries to marry and how many foreigners Spain choose as the scenario for their bodies. In any case something is clear: with Spanish tourism Breaking records and approaching the barrier of 100 million Of visitors, it is a juicy business. And clearly on the rise. In February, Future Marketin Sights consultant published A broad study that estimates that The global market The wedding tourism will be around 36,800 million dollars, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4% throughout the next decade. They are high values, but above all they exceed those who handled only a few years ago. His Calculation for 2022for example, pointed to a business volume of ‘Solo’ 23,000 million. “The Rinning Weddings They are one of the most popular and most dynamic segments in the global wedding industry, in which couples opt for personalized experiences in exotic places around the world, ” The authors collect of the study. “More and more boyfriends choose to exchange their votes in picturesque and culturally rich places, often with a group of friends and family. The market covers a wide variety of services and destinations offers.” How does Spain affect? As Spain sits top of the world ranking of tourist destinations and even dreams of crowning it (something feasible already in 2040according to the estimates of Google and Deloitte), our country is also reinforced on the map of the Rinning Weddings. On the Internet they can be found A good number of websites in English dedicated to Organize weddings In Spain or what They promote the peninsula and the islands as “An ideal destination” so that the bride and groom exchange alliances. The Canary Islands, Malaga, Marbella or Mallorca usually appear on their list, although in reality the market is very wide. A few years ago Ciudad Rodrigo (Salamanca) launched a baptized initiative ‘Ciudad Rodrigo Wedding Friendly’ I was looking for precisely position the town on the map of wedding celebrations. As the main asset he used his rich historical heritage. A quick search in The Wedding Travel Company It shows in any case that couples determined to marry their city have an extensive list of alternatives in Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Portugal or the United States, to quote only some countries on their vast list. “We specialize”. To understand the phenomenon The confidential He has spoken With some representatives of the Mallorca sector, one of the hot points of national tourism. And their data and statements are striking. Finca is Cabàslocated just over 20 kilometers from the urban center of Palma, explains that practically 100% of the weddings they do are tourists. And the director of the farm They are brownlocated not much further from there, it agrees that about 98% of the links that host them also lead. “There is a lot of American, a lot of German, a lot of British,” Confirm Yesssi Morel, Wedding Plannerfor whom, beyond the attractiveness of Spain or the costs, the key of the island pull in the destination wedding market is the approach that the sector has adopted. “I think we put everything very easy to foreigners. We are specializing a lot. Every time weddings are perfected more.” As for costs, statista data Before the pandemic show that Spain is one of the countries where the most expensive weddings are celebrated ($ 23,400 on average in 2019), although in reality the data is not much higher than that of Italy and is below the $ 29,000 that were reached that same year in the US. “They seek to save and in Mallorca they have the same wedding with the same quality they could have in the US, but at a lower cost,” Morel clarifies. And how does Mallorquines affect? That is the other big question. In a market that looks at the foreign client and the American couples with a wide budget, what options do they have left? The topic is interesting because, as remember the Wedding Plannerforeigners who plan to marry their home usually follow certain patterns: they reserve well in advance and have no problem in celebrating their ceremonies any day of the week. That (of course) forces the locals to adapt. “The Mallorcan marries only on Saturday and usually prefer certain months, such as September. If they do not escape, they run out of dates,” Confirm The wedding organizer. “Farm owners believe they have a treasure in their hands. They have seen a reef.” Images | Carlo Buttinoni (UNSPLASH) and Camila Cordeiro (UNSPLASH) Via | The confidential In Xataka | The end of the open bar: how weddings are leaving behind their only ‘collective … Read more

For something more than the sun

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That Japanese culture attracts the rest of the world It is a fact. There are the Visitors figures foreigners visiting the nation with numbers that They overcome every year. The Japanese nation interests because in many cases it is what opposite to the culture of the West. Let’s put as an example a postcard that usually surprises the tourist who comes: why are the hell so many Japanese with umbrella? One track: it is not just to cover the sun. Umbrella and spirits. Yes, in Japan, umbrellas and umbrella are not just protection against rain or sun, they can also Be Yorishirothat is, objects capable of attracting or hosting divinities and spirits. This Animistic visiondescribed by Professor Emeritus Tatsuo Danjyoassociates the circular form of the umbrella with the soul and its mango with the pillar through which the entities descend, which makes the daily object a spiritual receptacle with symbolic presence in ritual and popular life. Of the emblem of power to common use. Between the IX and XI centuries, the umbrella broke into Japan not as a meteorological shelter, but as a distinguished of Religious and political authority: Long Sashikake-Gasa sustained by assistants on elites and dignitaries. From the 12th century its use extended to the people, but the spiritual ground remained, so that the umbrella lived with its practical function as a sign of amparo, status and link with the sacred. Festivals that cure. Today that dimension survives in celebrations where the umbrella acts as a ritual vehicle. In The Yasurai Matsuri of Kyoto, in April, the floral umbrellas “extract” diseases of the participants, and in The Dontaku hakata From Fukuoka, every May 3-4, the imposing Kasaboko distribute health and fortune to whom it passes under them. Not just that. In Oksahima (Kōchi), during the Obon From August 13 to 16, richly decorated umbrella structures house the spirits of the newly deceased to, on the night of the 16 alternate years, lead them back to the beyond through a processional dance. The umbrella that comes alive. Japanese imagination has personified this relationship in the so -called Like Kasa Yōkaithe “spirit-peel” that appears in paintings and rolls like the Night of the parade of demons mirates, where ancient and discarded objects wake up and roam. With its only eye and naughty features, Kasa Yōkai embodies the Animistic intuition That the used, dear and finally abandoned utensils can keep a spiritual spark. Everyday use. Although visitors see parasols to protect themselves from the sun or umbrella against rain, in Japan open A traditional Wagasa It can resonate with a cultural memory that transcends the weather. In fact, workshops and museums allow to explore first hand the history and trade of these pieces, from their structure to their decoration, connecting the daily practice with a legacy that combines utility, aesthetics and ritual meaning. A modern gesture with roots. Thus, the image of streets crowded with umbrellas on sunny days summarizes a continuity: A practical object that, while still being, operates as a symbol of care, health and good fortune. Remembering that double nature (physical protection and spiritual vehicle) explains why in Japan a simple opening and closing can, according to tradition, summon more than shadow or coat. Image | Cipher In Xataka | Japan is living something unpublished in its most emblematic neighborhoods: the “chinification” of anime and video games In Xataka | Japan has put a spicy in Spain in a peculiar way: with a “Madrid Osaka” in a town of 93 inhabitants

Solar storms are increasingly threatening for the earth. NASA wants to prepare with a “digital twin” of the sun

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The sun, that star that gives us life, also has an unpredictable character and potentially destructive. So much so that A large solar storm It could return to us technologically to the stone age in the blink of an eye. To avoid this, NASA and IBM They have joined forces To create a model that simulates the behavior of the sun. And how could it be otherwise, it has been generated with artificial intelligence. A authentic twin of the sun to understand it better. The union of forces of these two institutions has resulted in the creation of Surya, an artificial intelligence Designed to act as a digital twin of the sun and anticipate their violent outbursts with precision that with the models that are currently used cannot be achieved. Training an AI with the heart of a star. The challenge of predicting the space climate is undoubtedly a great challenge For scientists. To build Surya, the engineers turned to an inexhaustible data source: the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) NASA Hala. For nine years, this probe has State watching the sun without restcapturing images of very high resolution every 12 seconds in different wavelengths and measuring its complex magnetic field. Once you have all this information is where artificial intelligence comes into action to be able to organize and interpret them for experts. That is why the first thing Surya did is standardize all data formats to be able to process them together. Intelligent filtering of all this information. Once the data was unified, the next step was to use a long -range vision transformer, an architecture capable of analyzing gigantic images to identify patterns and relationships between points of solar activity, regardless of how far they are from each other. But he did not stay here, because thanks to a mechanism known as ‘spectral door’, the system was able to filter the ‘noise’ of the data to reduce memory use and improve the quality of the information with which it worked. Therefore, researchers were removed a lot of work to have to label all the images, causing it to adapt rapidly. More precision and twice as much time to react. The results of the initial tests are very promising. Until now, Traditional models barely gave us an hour in advance before a solar eruption. With Surya it has been shown to be able to launch a reliable warning two hours in advance, doubleing the humanity preparation window. But it is not only faster, but also accurate. The IBM and NASA team recorded a 16% improvement in precision when classifying solar rashes compared to the models used right now. Something that is also thanks to the ability to integrate information from other missions such as Parker solar probe or the Soho Observatory. An open tool for the science of the future. Far from saving this powerful tool in a key drawer, IBM and NASA have made it available to the entire scientific community. Surya is now available on platforms such as Hugging Face, GITHUB or even the Terratorch library. Kevin Murphy, NASA scientific data director, is clear: “We facilitate the analysis of the complexity of our star’s behavior with unprecedented speed and precision. This opens the door to a better understanding of the impact of solar activity on the systems on which our daily life depends.” The goal is for the Earth to be prepared. Although we see the central star of our system as harmless, the reality is that at any time this sensation can change. In this way, preparation and anticipation is fundamental and for the moment all hopes are put in this model of where it is possible to learn from the processes behind the evolution of the sun with the aim of having a greater amount of information. Images | Javier Miranda In Xataka | How the Solar System was formed: So that the Earth was born, a star had to die

How to cover the sun became more aspirational than tan

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For decades, summer was summed up in suns, forgotten sunscreen at the bottom of the bag and the eternal search for golden tan. But something has changed in recent years. While some people continue to bet on the Caribbean tone at any cost, a new trend has gained ground: covering the sun almost completely, until the solar phobia is touched. And although it can sound new in the West, in Asia it is not unusual. The ideal of clear skin. While in the West we obsess for decades with achieving a “healthy” tan – a term that, According to dermatologists such as Dr. José María Ricartit is still an oxymoron -, in much of Asia the approach has been another: covering itself. In countries like China or South Korea, protecting from the sun is not a trend, it is a norm. The beauty ideal is associated with clear, uniform skin, without spots, because a culture has been fed where perfect skin is status symbol. Recently, As reported by the South China Morning Postyouth of regions such as Fujian and Sichuan have taken this obsession to the extreme, using makeshift masks with cabbage leaves the size of an entire face. Beyond satire or aesthetics, priority is clear: avoid any effect of the sun on the skin. A phobia that reaches the West. Now, this fear of the sun expands. In the West, the minimalist bikini is being replaced by garments with UV protection and hats the size of an umbrella. According to The Wall Street Journalcelebrities such as Anne Hathaway, Halle Berry or Michelle Monaghan have been seen on vacation dressed in whole -body swimsuits, long -sleeved shirts and accessories designed to cover up to the last centimeter of leather. It is not a matter of modesty: it is prevention. In Spain, for example, actress Miriam Giovanelli has become one of the most visible voices In campaigns such as World Leather Cancer Day Of the international dermatological clinic, remembering that photoprotection is not just summer thing. In the words of Caroline Goldfarb, screenwriter and founder of Fishwife, collected by WSJ: “I have investigated the Burkinis, they are incredibly elegant. Muslim designers are icons of total coverage.” For many women like her, this hyperprotection is not a whim, but a way of fighting premature aging and skin cancer. Besides, According to Cleveland Clinicclothing with sun protection (UPF) blocks much more UV radiation than a common shirt. Of course, not every garment is worth: dermatologists recommend fabrics with UPF 50+, of closed plot, synthetic and in dark tones. But why? This phenomenon does not arise from nothing. As The dermatologist Amy Wechsler has explained in WSJmany women who invest in Cosmetic procedures —Theses, peels or rejuvenating sera – they also seek to protect that investment with UPF clothes, hats and glasses. It is part of the new self -care ritual: it is not only about looking good, but also being “intact.” This aesthetic obsession is not new, but it has intensified with the culture of collagen, filters and boom of the K-Beauty. As we have already written in Xatakawhat was previously sun cream, now is collagen dust, salmon DNA injection or facial analysis with AI. The implicit message: Aging is wrong. Covering from the sun may seem like a health gesture, but does not escape that logic. Isn’t it exaggerated? Solar prevention is important, but some experts already warn of excesses. Jennifer Chwalek, Dermatologist from UniDanderm, has warned in the WSJ On the risks of a total avoidance of the sun, such as vitamin D. deficiency Charlotte Palermino, aestheticist and founder of Dieux, ironized: “I don’t want to end like Gollum, with rickets.” Take care of yourself. Isolate yourself from the sun as if it were nuclear radiation, maybe not. An more symptom of aesthetic pressure? The sun has been demonized, but the context matters. According to the SAFE study79% of adults and 74% of Spanish children are exposed to the Sun in the most dangerous hours (11:00 to 17:00), and only 39.7% reaplies sunscreen every two hours. Protection is necessary, yes. But it is also to educate in its responsible use, without falling into fear or social pressure. As The dermatologist Amy Wechsler to WSJ has commentedmany patients who spend on cosmetic treatments also wear UPF clothes to “protect investment.” And it is that youth has become a mandate. From South Korea, where aesthetic tourism lives an unprecedented boom, to collagen fever in the West, the pressure to “look good” has fed a constant aesthetic anxiety. Between the sun and the mirror. From Korea to California, from collagen in coffee to the design burkini, what is at stake is not only the skin, but the time. We cover ourselves to take care of ourselves, yes, but also to continue looking young. The challenge is not just to avoid spots: it is to assume that the sun and wrinkles are part of life. Image | Pexels Xataka | The summers are so short in Finland that he has accepted a guest to enjoy the beaches: kilos of poop

Pistachio’s profitability comes after years and the sun pays from the first lease contract

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In Carmona (Seville), up to 28 solar projects advance on land that, until recently, were sown with cereal, pipes or chickpeas. The boom of photovoltaic in this municipality is not only attracting energy investment, but also transforming the rural landscape and the local economy. This was reported by the farmer José Portillo In a report of the Research Team Program. The most striking of his case is the economic jump: for each hectare of dry land he obtained just about 100 euros a year; Now, leased to a solar plant, it brings 1,900 euros. This is not an isolated case. With contracts from 20 to 30 years and stable profitability, More and more farmers wonder If the future of the field goes to continue cultivating or capturing the sun. And the answer is that it is within the usual: According to the Eave installation companyIn 2024 the average rental price for photovoltaic projects ranged between 1,000 and 2,000 euros per hectare. Of course, not any farm is suitable: soils are needed for energy use, overcome environmental and hydraulic procedures and, above all, have a point of connection to the electricity grid with sufficient capacity. From the grain to the kilowatt. Official numbers help contextualize the dilemma. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, In your Agricultural Income 2024 – 2nd estimate (March 2025)Spanish agricultural income grew by 11.2 % in 2024, driven by cereal recovery (+38.9 %), The olive oil rebound (+34.3 %) and the decrease in feed costs (−19.5 %) and fertilizers (−23.3 %). But that average bonanza is not distributed the same on all plots. The National Agrarian Accounting Network (Recan) shows that in extensive crops of drying the benefits are usually very small, while In intensive accounts change. The olive grove can generate between 3,000 and 4,000 euros per hectare per year; The Almendro in Seto recovers the investment in about five years, and the pistachio reaches yields of 5,000 to 8,000 euros per hectare in full maturity. In short, everything depends on what the farm is dedicated. In cereal dryland, the solar lease far multiplies the usual benefits. In more technified crops, figures can approach or even exceed the profitability of photovoltaic, although at the expense of assuming higher investments, agronomic risks and price volatility. The sun, in any case, has become an economic competitor of the traditional field. A third way: self -consumption. Not everything goes for renting the ground. Another option is that it is the farmer himself who installs panels to reduce their energy costs. According to the Renewable APPA reportSpain already has more than 8,585 MW of self -consumption, 73 % of them in industrial projects, which covered 3.7 % of national demand. Savings is not less: APPA and EDP Energy They estimate that each KW installed is € 157 less per year in homes and € 101 in industries. Field translated: an irrigation exploitation with a 100 kW installation could save around 10,000 euros per year in electricity, more if it adds batteries and adapts consumption to sun hours. An intermediate formula. Between white and black the agrovoltaic arises: producing electricity while growing. Researchers from the University of Córdoba (2024) They have demonstrated that in olive groves in hedge it is viable to install high plates that optimize radiation for both trees and solar modules, without losing olives. International examples also point in that direction: Italian wineries that They have improved the quality of wine Under the shadow of panels or farms in Australia where even the wool of the sheep It was of higher quality. Looking for the combination. The future of the Spanish field may not consist in choosing between sun or land, but in combining them. In the agrarian Spain of 2025, one hectare is no longer measured only in kilos of cereal or liters of oil, but also in kilowatts. With an agricultural income that rebounds thanks to cereal and olive grove, the photovoltaic rent offers many farmers a stable income difficult to match in low profitability areas. Between panels, olive groves and batteries, the future is probably mixed – and will depend, as always, on the ground, the sun and of the network. Image | Unspash Xataka | Spain believed to be very clear about the last year in which nuclear power plants would operate in Spain. Now not so much

Why some sun spots resist more than others

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It was not until about 400 years, with the invention of telescopes, which We realized of the existence of sun spots. Since then, these regions of high magnetism and low luminosity have intrigued astronomers, who have spent the last four centuries trying to unravel their secrets. Solving the mystery. A group of scientists has resolved One of the enigmas that intrigued those who study sunscreen and their evolution. This is the question of why some sun spots remain in a stable equilibrium that allows them to mangue active, even for months, while other spots fader. The spots in the solar cycle. Sun spots are not static regions but these are dynamic regions, arise, grow and end up fading over time. Decades ago we know that these are regions where the magnetic field of the sun is especially strong. The dynamism in these spots marks the passage of the so -called “Solar Cycle”, an 11 -year cycle in which the number of sun spots ranges from a peak of activity and times of relative calm. The abundance of sun spots also implies an increase in solar activity since, According to the responsible team Of the new study, the “unstable” magnetic configurations in the surroundings of these spots are responsible for the bursts known as coronal mass ejections (CME). Correcting the observations. The team responsible for the new study developed a method to analyze with greater reliability and precision solar spots through observations made from terrestrial telescopes. Then they used this method to the observation of the Hispanoalemán Gregor Solar Telescope. The objective of the technique is to eliminate the distortions caused by the Earth’s atmosphere in the images obtained by the telescopes. This allowed to achieve a new quality in the measurements of the solar magnetic field carried out by the European telescope. Balance. The technique allowed the team to inquire into the balance that maintains some active sun spots for months, while others vanished in a matter of days. As explained, since the 1970s there was the hypothesis that this was possible due to the balance between the magnetic field pressure of the sunny sun and the external gas to this, a balance so far extremely difficult to explain. The new analysis shows us how the magnetic field of sun spots is compressed by external pressure until the balance is reached. The team stands out How this finding explains the survival of these areas but could also help us in the future to detect the instabilities responsible for the CME bursts, which in turn would serve to protect us in front of their impacts. The details of the study were published In an article In the magazine Astronomy & Astrophysics. The feet on the ground. One of the advantages of the new tool is to facilitate with Estudio del Sol and its spots From the earth’s surfacewithout having to resort to space telescopes. This implies that we can now observe the sun not only easily, also reducing costs. Maintaining sun surveillance is key to detecting bursts that cross the space between our star and our planet to a significant portion of the speed of light. These outbreaks can have consequences for the satellites that orbit us and communication networks, so anticipating them is of extreme importance. An importance that does not stop growing since our dependence on these networks is increasing. In Xataka | What are solar storms and why society has become so vulnerable to something that has happened millions of years Image | POT / Freiburg Institute of Solar Physics

An older comet that the sun has invaded the solar system. The old and reliable Hubble telescope already has photos

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The veteran space telescope Hubble, With 35 years of service behind themcontinues to demonstrate that it is in full form. His last feat has been to capture the first clear image of 3i/Atlas, an interstellar kite that not only comes from outside our solar system, but seems to be older than the sun itself. The interstellar object number three. 3i/Atlas is the third celestial body beyond the solar system that astronomers have detected on our neighborhood, after the mysterious Asteroid 1i/’Oumuamua In 2017 and the Gigantic Comet 2i/Borisov In 2019. The images, taken on July 21 by NASA’s space telescope, offer a detailed first view of the new member of the club. The first alert was given by an astrophysic student nicknamed Astrafoxen In his bluesky profile: “There are many cosmic rays around, but the comet’s comma looks fantastic and bulky.” And indeed, even without processing, the images let a diffuse and active atmosphere intuit around the code core. An unexpected composition. Scientists have already begun to reveal the secrets of the comet. A Preliminary study Based on previous images, he revealed that 3i/Atlas is an active interstellar kite that contains abundant water. However, its cloud of dust looks more like that of type D asteroids: rocks full of silicates with organic molecules, carbon and water ice inside. The composition of the comet’s comma seems to be adjusted 70% to Tagish Lake Meteoritewith the remaining 30% in water ice grains. An older cosmic fossil than the sun. Everything indicates that 3i/Atlas comes from a region of the Milky Way much older than ours. With an estimated age of 7,000 million years, compared to the 4.6 billion years of the solar system, this kite is a time capsule of an era before ours, which especially excites astronomers. First detected on July 1, 2025 by the Atlas poll, the comet has become the priority objective of observatories around the world. One of those who will join the hunt is the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which with The world’s largest digital camera promises to find many of these invaders. Images | Hubble (NASA), Gemini Observatory In Xataka | This is not normal photos of the cosmos: prepare your hard drive to save these hubble wonders

We thought that gasoline cars were much cleaner than diesel. We did not have the effect of the sun

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For every 100 cars that are sold in Spain, just five are diesel. They are the latest data we have in Spain of registration, which reflects to what extent the diesel (despite having market niches in which It is still profitable) It has become an almost banished fuel in our country. And although it may be weird, it does not make 70% of the cars we bought were diesel moved. In fact, just over a decade ago. In 2014 the diesel lived his golden age. From its 70.06% market share It has plummeted. There are numerous factors that explain the rise and fall of diesel. For years, its price was so cheap (in fact it is still subsidized) than each buyer He poured liter calculations consumed For every 100 kilometers to know how long it would take to make investment profitable since they used to be more expensive motorizations. But over the years, emission regulations were drowning the diesel. Especially after the famous Dieselgate in which it was discovered that the Volkswagen Group (first defendant) and other companies trucan their emissions to offer data within the legality in the homologation exams to, outside them, contaminate more than allowed. With Euro 6, diesel were put much more complicated since 2015. For sample, the comparison between the demands made to diesel engines compared to gasoline and that You can read in this extensive article of Xataka in which all the normative change was explained: Limits for a gasoline engine CO (carbon monoxide): 1.0 g/km HC (total hydrocarbons): 0.10 g/km NOX (nitrogen oxides): 0.060 g/km HC + NOX (hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides): 0.160 g/km (approx.) PM (suspended particles): 0.005 g/km P (number of particles): 6×10^11/km (6×10^12/km for three years for direct injection) Limits for a diesel engine CO (carbon monoxide): 0.50 g/km HC (total hydrocarbons): 0.09 g/km (approx.) NOX (nitrogen oxides): 0.080 g/km HC + Nox (hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides): 0.170 g/km PM (suspended particles): 0.005 g/km P (number of particles): 6×10^11/km The problem is that, due to its own operation, A diesel is less pollutant in CO2 that a gasoline but expels many more particle emissions than They are very dangerous to the health of the human beinglike the Nitrogen oxides (NOX). Although the value was slightly higher for diesel, emission regulations were forcing manufacturers to squeeze the brain. With Euro 5 the particle filter. From Euro 6, the Adblue. These measures ended up banishing diesel engines of smaller cars. Well because they contaminated too much or because innovations to be installed in them It was more expensive both the product that did not make it viable. If we take into account the increase in the product, the bad reputation after the dieselgate and the innumerable statements On a rise in the price of fuel, now it is better understood The sudden drop in sales. All this explanation makes sense. Do you remember that Euro 5 forced to mount particle filters in diesel cars? And that with the Dieselgate the cars reflected some emission figures that were not real? A study now indicates something similar for gasoline cars. It is not that they are cheating, they point out that the emission regulations itself may not be enough to tell us how pollutants are our cars. A little effective particle filter In short, a particle filter is a kind of mesh that catches larger pollutant emissions before expelling them to the atmosphere through the exhaust pipe. Taking advantage of the heat of gases, the mesh takes temperature and burns the particles, reducing emissions. That is a problem in the cars that start and stop every time or those that do many kilometers by city because the engine does not give time to take the temperature enough to burn these particles and the filter ends up collapsing, causing a somewhat expensive breakdown. For some years, emission regulations have forced gasoline cars to also mont particle filters to get emissions not to exceed the allowed limits. However, as a gasoline engine works at a higher temperature, It is more complicated to fall into these types of situations. However, a study published in Science Advances He has pointed out a problem: they are not enough. The particle filter aims to reduce the Volume of fine particles that are expelled to the atmosphere, PM2.5. And they get it, according to researchers but that is not enough to ensure that their toxicity is lower. They point out in their study that it is not enough to measure emissions just after combustion, they should be studied how they behave once in the atmosphere. And how do they behave?: Bad. They point out that, once in the air, the experts expelled are exposed to sunlight and that they cause a series of transformations that make them remarkably more toxic to the human being. They explain in Phys.org that the modification of the particles caused damage to the human DNA and in cells that we find in our bronchi. It is what they call “photochemical aging” that causes particles to increase their toxicity generating “oxygenated volatile compounds, such as carbonilos.” In the article they point out that Dr. Mathilde Delaval, the first author of the study and researcher at Helmholtz Munich, says that “our study shows that we are missing a large part of the panorama by not considering How exhaust gases changeand become more harmful, after leaving the car. “ The study is partially financed by the European Union and in it they have intervened in one way or another universities and laboratories of Germany, Finland and Switzerland. Photo | Nursultan Abakirov and Romanov Nick In Xataka | Diesel or gasoline: what are the differences and which one is better to buy according to your use

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