Scientists smash 24-year nuclear fusion energy record

SpaceX loses over 40 Starlink satellites in a geomagnetic storm, scientists discover the hidden force behind Saturn’s Aurora Borealis Feb 10, 2022 [View in browser]( Imagine creating a blindingly hot star inside of a machine and holding it there for five seconds. This may sound like a superhero origin story, but it’s also a reality for scientists at the JET laboratory in the U.K., who just broke a 24-year-old record for a sustained nuclear fusion reaction. But before we get into the powerful details, we have the perfect video explaining what would happen if the moon crashed into Earth. It gives Joni Mitchell's “Moon at the Window” new meaning. Good morning. I’m Derya, an editor here at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let’s get started. [Video]VIDEO OF THE DAY [What if the moon crashed into earth? Here's the science behind 'Moonfall']( Oh, well. [What if the moon crashed into earth? Here's the science behind 'Moonfall']( SCIENCE [Nuclear fusion reactor smashes a new energy record after 24 years]( [UK Atomic Energy Authority.]( Scientists at the Joint European Torus (JET) facility at Oxford, U.K., [broke their own record]( of energy released from a nuclear fusion reaction, set more than 24 years ago, marking a major milestone in our endeavor to produce energy safely and sustainably. - Artificial sun. The scientists were able to generate 59 megajoules of energy sustained over five seconds. This is a far higher power level than the 22 megajoules of energy the facility had managed to produce in its 1997 experiment. A silver bullet? While this is an achievement in itself, the experiment does not solve the biggest hurdle in nuclear fusion energy: producing more energy than is put in. Scientists are hopeful that they will be able to overcome this hurdle [when they replicate this experiment]( at a larger scale with the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). [Read More]( CULTURE [SpaceX loses over 40 Starlink satellites in a geomagnetic storm]( [A typical Starlink launch from SpaceX.]( Elon Musk's [SpaceX hit an unexpected snag]( in its plans to increase the number of orbiting Starlink satellites when a geomagnetic storm hit the Earth's atmosphere on Friday. Up to 40 satellites may have been lost. Goodbye blue sky. The geomagnetic storm hit the Earth's atmosphere shortly after Starlink's satellites were placed in low altitudes, preventing SpaceX from raising the satellites to their intended orbits. - The quality of Starlink's internet services is dependent on the number of satellites that it places in orbit, which means losing 40 can’t be a good thing. Thankfully, SpaceX assured the world that these satellites will or have already re-entered the Earth's atmosphere to burn up, posing no danger to other satellites or anyone on the ground. Starlink satellites [have already drawn the ire of many astronomers]( for photobombing their view of the night sky, so it’s a good thing that they won’t be raining down on us any time soon. [Read More]( SCIENCE [Scientists discover the hidden force behind Saturn’s Aurora Borealis]( [Saturn’s Aurora Borealis.]( An international group of astronomers [discovered a previously unknown mechanism]( behind the massive aurorae on the poles of Saturn. As if it's not already a spectacularly complex and beautiful planet. - “A true Aurora Borealis”. Unlike any other planet observed to date, Saturn generates aurorae by swirling winds within its own atmosphere, not just from the magnetosphere surrounding the planet. This also answers one of astronomy's oldest questions: Why is it so hard to measure the length of a day on Saturn? It turns out, electrically charged wind is fueling Saturn's auroras and dragging its magnetic field along, making it impossible to measure the length of a day that way. Unless you go and see for yourself, which we don’t recommend! Facts for dinner. Make no mistake; scientists did find a way around this and [determined the length of a Saturn day in 2019]( It lasts 10 hours, 33 minutes, and 38 seconds – days would really fly by there, if only it wasn’t a massive ball of hydrogen and helium. [Read More]( MAIL & MUSINGS Let’s pretend it’s middle school for a second. The good part. Which gas giant is your favorite? Be sure you check back tomorrow for the results! [Jupiter. Storms don’t last forever.]( [Uranus. No, don’t make that joke.]( [Saturn. Magnetic beauty.]( [Neptune. I like it wet and windy.]( Yesterday’s Results We asked whether you think further government crackdowns will increase public confidence in cryptocurrencies. And exactly half of you see ​​complete government regulation in crypto’s future. We’d love to peer into that crystal ball of yours. Crypto will be completely regulated by governments in the future. Wait and see. 50% Yes. It was needed from day one. 25% I’m not so sure. Maybe. 13% No! It defeats the whole purpose. 12% QUOTE OF THE DAY “ All science is either physics or stamp collecting. ” J. B. Birks, in “Rutherford at Manchester” (1962) AND ANOTHER THING... - Is China leading the electric vehicle race? [Here's what the numbers say](. - SoftBank's record-breaking sale of a prized chip designer to Nvidia [has officially been called off](. (CNN) - [Russia is working on a draft law]( that will see crypto go beyond being a mere digital financial asset to becoming a valid currency. - The secret to satisfaction has nothing to do with achievement, money, or stuff. But [how can we want less]( (The Atlantic) - [Is thinking unique to humans]( Probably not, but we may never know. - Feeling hungry? Curb your hunger by [exploring a database of 1,000 unique foods]( including black apples, green oysters, and hallucinogenic honey. (Atlas Obscura) - This [Apple Car concept design]( will top the Cybertruck when it comes to dividing opinion. [Share to Win]SHARE TO WIN [All products]( Share The Blueprint! Give your friends deeper insights into engineering and tech, and win exclusive IE swag for free. [Read Details]( Share your link Copy & share your referral link with others. [ [Referral Program Terms and Conditions]( Prepared by Derya Ozdemir and Brad Bergan Enjoy reading? Don't forget to forward to a friend! 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