India’s first mission to study the Sun will be launched by June-July: ISRO chairman 

India’s first mission to study the Sun will be launched by June-July: ISRO chairman 

Visible Line Emission Coronagraph, the primary payload on board Aditya-L1, was handed over to ISRO by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics in Bengaluru on January 26, 2023. | Photo Credit: The Hindu The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to launch the Aditya-L1 mission by June or July this year. Aditya-L1 is the first … Read more

USFDA pulls up Sun Pharma for lapses in its Gujarat plant

USFDA pulls up Sun Pharma for lapses in its Gujarat plant

In a warning letter, the US Food and Drug Administration pointed out various lapses at the Halol plant which produces finished pharmaceutical products. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement The U.S. health regulator has pulled up drug major Sun Pharma for manufacturing lapses, including failure to follow appropriate written procedures designed to prevent microbiological contamination of … Read more

If Your Meds Make Your Skin More Sensitive to the Sun

If Your Meds Make Your Skin More Sensitive to the Sun

You may know that taking some antibiotics and acne medicine can trigger skin sensitivity to the sun, but common over-the-counter meds like aspirin and antihistamines can also spark sunburns and rashes. Medications with a possible sun sensitivity side effect are prescribed for a wide range of conditions including allergies, arthritis, depression, diabetes, hypertension, and rosacea. … Read more

NASA’s stunning image of solar flare signals yet another solar storm; Is Earth in harm’s way?

NASA’s stunning image of solar flare signals yet another solar storm; Is Earth in harm’s way?

Since April 19, the sun has released numerous moderate-to-strong solar flares — a sudden burst of magnetic energy that poses a threat if directed towards the Earth. Of the five solar flares, three were classified as strong. On April 30, NASA captured an image of a solar flare using the Solar Dynamics Observatory. The picture … Read more

Earth-Sun Environment: NASA selects two missions to enhance understanding of solar atmosphere and space weather

Sun NASA SDO

With these missions, the space environment would be understood in a better manner. NASA missions: US space agency NASA has selected two missions in order to better understand the way the Sun works, the connection between the Sun and our planet as well as the space environment which is constantly changing. A statement in this … Read more

Can solar storms impact internet connectivity? Here’s what study says

Solar flares

Solar storms, called Coronal Mass Ejection by astronomers, refers to the phenomenon in which the Sun ejects highly magnetised particles. (Representational image) Solar Storms and Internet: The world has seen a very rocky 2020 and 2021 so far due to the coronavirus pandemic – with its multiple waves and numerous variants – along with locust … Read more

Mysteries of Sun: ISRO’s Chandrayaan 2 mission provides key insights into solar coronal heating, FIP bias

Sun

ISRO said that in the quiet solar corona, absolute abundances of elemental Al, Si and Mg have been derived for the first time ISRO’s Chandrayaan 2: Outstanding results on the solar corona and heliophysics have been received by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from an instrument placed aboard the Chandrayaan 2 mission. ISRO said … Read more

How to Stay Truly Safe in the Sun

SOURCES: Valisure: “Valisure Detects Benzene in Sunscreen,” “Valisure Citizen Petition on Benzene in Sunscreen and After-sun Care Products.” CDC: “Facts About Benzene.” David Light, CEO, Valisure. FDA: “Shedding More Light on Sunscreen Absorption.” Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology: “Toxicopathological Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter, Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), on Coral Planulae and Cultured Primary … Read more

Sunnier Areas Have Lower COVID-19 Death Rates

So how might extra sunlight curb COVID-19? According to Weller’s group, one possible explanation is that sun exposure causes the skin to release a chemical called nitric oxide. Some laboratory studies have found that nitric oxide may reduce the ability of the new coronavirus to replicate and spread. The study authors are planning to … Read more