Solar thermal energy uses the sun’s heat for various tasks, including food preservation, cooking, and generating electricity. It can also be used for cooling through evaporative cooling. This form of energy is accessible to communities worldwide and can operate 24/7 with supporting technology. Solar thermal energy is a form of energy where the sun is […]
The solar wind, consisting of charged particles, extends about 100 AU from the Sun and is the source of auroras and geomagnetic storms. Its high speed and temperature are mysteries, and it wanes at the termination shock. The Sun emits 6.7 billion tons of solar wind per hour, but loses only 0.01% of its mass […]
Solar energy equipment includes thermal systems for heat and electricity production, and photovoltaic cells for direct electricity generation. Building-integrated and standalone devices are used for various applications, while solar power plants generate large amounts of electricity. The different types of solar energy equipment include a large variety of devices that trap solar energy and convert […]
Solar cells use two layers of doped silicon, one with a surplus of free electrons and the other with holes, connected by a wire. When sunlight hits the n-type layer, it creates a current that flows through the wire to a load. The top layer is covered with glass and resin for protection. Solar cells […]
Solar cookers use the sun’s heat to cook food and are made from cardboard and aluminum foil. They are portable, inexpensive, and can cook meat, boil water, and bake bread. Solar cookers are used worldwide and have many advantages, but require sunlight and are not effective in overcast or rainy conditions. A solar cooker is […]
Solar urticaria is a skin condition where hives develop after exposure to sunlight or artificial light. It causes redness, itching, and hives. The cause is unknown, but excess chemicals produced by the body when exposed to sunlight are thought to be the cause. Treatment involves over-the-counter or prescription medications. Precautions such as avoiding direct sunlight, […]
Solar energy is a versatile and clean source of renewable energy that can be used in various applications. Solar panels convert the sun’s energy into heat or electricity, and there are two ways to obtain solar energy: solar thermal and photoelectric applications. However, there are some disadvantages, such as the need for a significant financial […]
Solar panels use pure silicon, combined with other elements, to create a positive and negative charge. When photons from sunlight hit the panels, electrons are released, generating electricity. However, solar panels have limitations, such as their small size and susceptibility to weather damage. Scientists aim to create more efficient and practical panels. Whether it’s a […]
Solar energy is a renewable energy source that converts radiant light energy into electric current. The most common way to harness solar energy is through an array of solar panels and storage batteries. Solar-powered homes can maintain a power supply for appliances and heating/cooling systems, and hospitals are also adopting solar energy as a backup […]
Solar storms caused by solar flares and coronal mass ejections can be devastating, disrupting electrical systems, communications, and satellites. The most severe storm in history occurred in 1859, and major storms could knock out the electricity grid in a large part of the world. Agencies monitor solar activity for signs of events that could trigger […]
Solar energy is a clean, safe and sustainable source of energy that has become increasingly popular in the 21st century. There are various technologies available to harness solar energy, including solar panels, which are made up of photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity. While there are still technological challenges to overcome, there have been […]
Solar inverters convert DC generated by photovoltaic systems into AC for use on-site or to feed into the grid. They have identifying features for use with PV arrays, such as MPPT, and can be used with battery systems. There are two types: off-grid and grid-tied. Grid-tied units can feed excess electricity back into the grid […]
Olympus Mons on Mars is the largest and tallest volcano in the solar system, standing at approximately 17 miles (27 km) high. Mauna Loa in Hawaii is the largest volcano on Earth, while Mount Etna in Italy is the most active. Volcanic rock is the only rock that can float in water. The largest volcano […]
The Sun’s corona is 300 times hotter than its surface due to nanoflares, which generate temperatures up to 18 million degrees Fahrenheit. The Sun is a near-perfect sphere of hot plasma and is expected to remain stable for another five billion years. You might think there’s nothing hotter than the surface of the Sun, but […]
Clyde Tombaugh, who discovered Pluto in 1930, had his ashes sent into space on the New Horizons spacecraft in 2006. The probe has since passed Pluto and entered the Kuiper Belt. Tombaugh was also an advocate for UFO research. Pluto was named by an 11-year-old girl and inspired the name of Disney’s dog. Pluto may […]
Efficiency of solar or geothermal energy depends on various factors, including local conditions, energy use, and environment. Solar panels convert only a small percentage of energy into electricity, while geothermal energy requires high temperatures and is only available in a few places. Efficiency is defined as a ratio of energy input and output, but installation […]
Sun allergies, specifically solar urticaria, can cause hives, inflammation, and itching. It is a chronic condition caused by an autoimmune response to natural proteins in the skin. Diagnosis involves exposure to UV light, and treatment includes antihistamines, steroids, and UV light therapy. Hives are usually caused by an allergy to sunlight. While many skin conditions […]
Solar controllers regulate the pump that moves heating liquid through a solar hot water system. They vary in complexity and include temperature sensing ports and output ports. Solar water heating systems consist of a collector and a water tank, with fluid movement controlled by an electric pump driven by a solar controller. More sophisticated controllers […]
Jupiter is the oldest planet in the Solar System, according to research by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Its solid core grew to 20 times the size of Earth in its first million years, and it likely “ate up” much of the debris circling around. Chemical analysis of ancient meteorites helped determine Jupiter’s age and origin. […]
Earth’s moon is the perfect size and position to create a total solar eclipse visible from Earth. Mars’ two moons are not big enough to block out the sun. Total solar eclipses occur on Earth every one to two years and every 18 years, 11 days, and 8 hours due to the Saros cycle. You […]
