earth

Syntheses, crystal structures, and comparisons of rare-earth oxyapatites Ca2RE8(SiO4)6O2 (RE = La, Nd, Sm, Eu, or Yb) and NaLa9(SiO4)6O2

Six different rare-earth oxyapatites, including Ca2RE8(SiO4)6O2 (RE = La, Nd, Sm, Eu, or Yb) and NaLa9(SiO4)6O2, were synthesized using solution-based processes followed by cold pressing and sinter­ing. The crystal structures of the synthesized oxyapatites were determined from powder X-ray diffraction (P-XRD) and their chemistries verified with electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). All the oxyapatites were isostructural within the hexa­gonal space group P63/m and showed similar unit-cell parameters. The isolated [SiO4]4− tetra­hedra in each crystal are linked by the cations at the 4f and 6h sites occupied by RE3+ and Ca2+ in Ca2RE8(SiO4)6O2 or La3+ and Na+ in NaLa9(SiO4)6O2. The lattice parameters, cell volumes, and densities of the synthesized oxyapatites fit well to the trendlines calculated from literature values.




earth

Synthesis and crystal structure of a mixed alkaline-earth powellite, Ca0.84Sr0.16MoO4

A mixed alkaline-earth powellite, Ca0.84Sr0.16MoO4 (calcium strontium molybdate), was synthesized by a flux method and its crystal structure was solved using single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD) data. The compound crystallized in the I41/a space group as with a typical CaMoO4 powellite, but with larger unit-cell parameters and unit-cell volume as a result of the partial incorporation of larger Sr cations into the Ca sites within the crystal. The unit cell and volume were well fitted with the trendline calculated from literature values, and the powder X-ray diffraction (P-XRD) pattern of the ground crystal is in good agreement with the calculated pattern from the solved structure.




earth

Astronomers Find Super-Earth Using Amateur, Off-the-Shelf Technology

The newfound world, GJ1214b, is about 6.5 times as massive as the Earth. Its host star, GJ1214, is a small, red type M star about one-fifth the size of the Sun. GJ1214b orbits its star once every 38 hours at a distance of only 1.3 million miles. Astronomers estimate the planet's temperature to be about 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Although warm as an oven, it is still cooler than any other known transiting planet because it orbits a very dim star.

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earth

Super sensitive telescope will detect “killer” asteroids and comets on collision course with Earth

This innovative facility will be at the front line of Earth defense by searching for "killer" asteroids and comets. It will map large portions of the sky nightly, making it an efficient sleuth for not just asteroids but also supernovae and other variable objects.

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earth

Great Sichuan earthquake of 2008 had little impact on of China’s wild takins

Data from a recent study of wild takins in the high-altitude forests of the Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve in southeast China has shown that the […]

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earth

Earth’s highest coastal mountain range moved 1,367 miles in 170 million years

Using the ancient magnetic field recorded in these rocks, a Smithsonian research group revealed Santa Marta’s 2,200-kilometer journey from northern Peru to its modern position on the Caribbean coast of Colombia during the past 170 million years.

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earth

Kepler spacecraft used by Smithsonian astronomers to find other earths

The Kepler spacecraft was launched in March of 2009 to study extrasolar planets. One of its major goals is the detection of terrestrial planets in habitable zones.

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earth

Super-earth has an atmosphere, but is it steamy or gassy?

The extrasolar planet GJ 1214b has a radius of about 2.7 times that of the Earth and is about 6.5 times as massive putting it squarely into the class of exoplanets known as super-Earths.

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earth

Stellar eclipse gives glimpse of exoplanet: New data reveals a ‘super-Earth’ next door, astronomically speaking

The far-out planet, named 55 Cancri e, is twice as big as Earth and nearly nine times more massive. It is most likely composed of rocky material, similar to Earth, supplemented with light elements such as water and hydrogen gas. Scientists estimate the planet’s surface is much hotter than ours: close to 2,700 degrees Celsius.

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earth

Earthquake causes minor damage to Smithsonian natural history collections

The 5.8-magnitude earthquake that shook the eastern United States on the afternoon of Tuesday, Aug. 23, caused minor damage to some of the Smithsonian's natural history collections. All public Smithsonian museums are open and have been determined safe for visitors and staff.

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earth

Newly discovered supermassive black holes are just 160 million light years from Earth

Astronomers using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory discovered the first pair of supermassive black holes in a spiral galaxy similar to the Milky Way. Approximately 160 million light years from Earth, the pair is the nearest known such phenomenon.

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earth

Infrared survey reveals fewer near-Earth asteroids than previously thought

New observations by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, show there are significantly fewer near-Earth asteroids in the mid-size range than previously thought.

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Two Earth-sized planets discovered orbiting a distant Sun-like star

Astronomers using NASA's Kepler mission have detected two Earth-sized planets orbiting a distant star. This discovery marks a milestone in the hunt for alien worlds, since it brings scientists one step closer to their ultimate goal of finding a twin Earth.

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earth

Earthworms to blame for decline of Ovenbirds in northern Midwest forests, study reveals

A recent decline in Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla), a ground-nesting migratory songbird, in forests in the northern Midwest United States is being linked by scientists to a seemingly unlikely culprit: earthworms.

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Alien Earths may have formed in Universe earlier than expected

New research by a team of astronomers found that planets smaller than Neptune are located around a wide variety of stars, including those with fewer heavy elements than the Sun.

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earth

Coronal mass ejection from July 12 solar flare headed toward Earth; minor geomagnetic storm activity predicted

A July 12 news alert from NASA indicates a X1.4 class solar flare erupted from the center of the Sun, peaking July 12 at 12:52 P.M.

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earth

One in six stars has an Earth-sized planet

This artist’s illustration represents the variety of planets being detected by NASA’s Kepler spacecraft. A new analysis has determined the frequencies of planets of all […]

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