In a new study that sheds light on space weather's impact on Earth, Dartmouth researchers and their colleagues show for the first time that plasma waves buffeting the planet's radiation belts are responsible for scattering charged particles into the atmosphere.

The study is the most detailed analysis so far of the link between these waves and the fallout of electrons from the planet's radiation belts. The belts are impacted by fluctuations in "space weather" caused by solar activity that can disrupt GPS satellites, communication systems, power grids and manned space exploration.

The results appear in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. A PDF is available on request.

The Dartmouth space physicists are part of a NASA-sponsored team that studies the Van Allen radiation belts, which are donut-shaped belts of charged particles held in place by Earth's magnetosphere, the magnetic field surrounding our planet. In a quest to better predict space weather, the Dartmouth researchers study the radiation belts from above and below in complementary approaches -- through satellites (the twin NASA Van Allen Probes) high over Earth and through dozens of instrument-laden balloons (BARREL, or Balloon Array for Radiation belt Relativistic Electron Losses) at lower altitudes to assess the particles that rain down.

The Van Allen Probes measure particle, electric and magnetic fields, or basically everything in the radiation belt environment, including the electrons, which descend following Earth's magnetic field lines that converge at the poles. This is why the balloons are launched from Antarctica, where some of the best observations can be made. As the falling electrons collide with the atmosphere, they produce X-rays and that is what the balloon instruments are actually recording.

"We are measuring those atmospheric losses and trying to understand how the particles are getting kicked into the atmosphere," says co-author Robyn Millan, an associate professor in Dartmouth's Department of Physics and Astronomy and the principal investigator of BARREL. "Our main focus has been really on the processes that are occurring out in space. Particles in the Van Allen belts never reach the ground, so they don't constitute a health threat. Even the X-rays get absorbed, which is why we have to go to balloon altitudes to see them."

In their new study, the BARREL researchers' major objective was to obtain simultaneous measurements of the scattered particles and of ionoized gas called plasma out in space near Earth's equator. They were particularly interested in simultaneous measurements of a particular kind of plasma wave called electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves and whether these waves were responsible for scattering the particles, which has been an open question for years.

The researchers obtained measurements in Antarctica in 2013 when the balloons and both the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) and Van Allen Probe satellites were near the same magnetic field line. They put the satellite data into their model that tests the wave-particle interaction theory, and the results suggest the wave scattering was the cause of the particle fallout. "This is the first real quantitative test of the theory," Millan says.

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The above story is based on materials provided by Dartmouth College. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

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Electromagnetic waves linked to particle fallout in Earth's atmosphere, new study finds

Meridian Hills Room Addition by Cliff #39;s Construction
Room Addition project completed in the Meridian Hills area of Indianapolis.

By: Cliffs Construction Home Remodeling

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Meridian Hills Room Addition by Cliff's Construction - Video

Belkin has announced several new sensors for its WeMo home automation line, including the Door and Window Sensor, the Keychain Sensor, and the Alarm Sensor, the last of which triggers if an existing security system goes off. Another addition is a new Room Motion Sensor, which can track heat signatures up to 30 feet away within a 90-degree arc. The unit should ignore pets, and (through the WeMo app) not only let people set alerts or links with other devices but check the last detected movement in a given room.

Something still in development is the Water Sensor. That device will attach to a plumbing system and track a house's overall water usage, as well as any pressure changes. The product is still in field testing however, and no release date is on the horizon; the other new WeMo sensors are scheduled to ship in the second half of the year.

In the meantime Belkin will be shipping a collection of mobile charging accessories, such as the Wireless Charging Pad -- which will should support any Qi-compatible phone or case -- and two battery packs, the Power Pack 2000 and the MIXIT Power Pack 400, rated at 2,000mAh and 4,000mAh, respectively. Other new MIXIT products will include home and car chargers and a variety of cables. The Wireless Charging Pad will arrive in April for $40, while the new Power Packs are due in June for $20 and $30. The remaining gear is expected in May at prices between $20 and $30.

By Electronista Staff

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Belkin launches more WeMo sensors, mobile charging accessories

Jamie Mitchell Times Record - Lonnie London works to remove a window frame Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, from the store front at 613 Main St. in Van Buren as part of a remodeling project next door for Firefly Boutique at 609 Main St. Once completed, London said the Firefly Boutique remodel will double the boutiques floor space, as well as allow London to access his upstairs residence by way of an existing staircase opening onto Main Street.

Jamie Mitchell Times Record - Lonnie London works to remove a window frame Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, from the store front at 613 Main St. in Van Buren as part of a remodeling project next door for Firefly Boutique at 609 Main St. Once completed, London said the Firefly Boutique remodel will double the boutiques floor space, as well as allow London to access his upstairs residence by way of an existing staircase opening onto Main Street.

Jamie Mitchell Times Record - Lonnie London works to remove a window frame Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, from the store front at 613 Main St. in Van Buren as part of a remodeling project next door for Firefly Boutique at 609 Main St. Once completed, London said the Firefly Boutique remodel will double the boutiques floor space, as well as allow London to access his upstairs residence by way of an existing staircase opening onto Main Street.

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Paneless Project

How To Kill Sewer Smell - Plumber Tips Life-Hacks
"If you wanted, it would help kill the smell if you spray a little bleach solution. Tilex is a brand name you can get at a grocery store..." [Tilex Bathroom Cleaner Tilex Mildew Remover vs...

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Environment One Extreme Sewer Pump EOne X Plumber Review
Environment One Extreme Sewer Pump EOne X Professional Plumber Technology And Specs Product Review What is the E/One Sewer System? "It is just a really thin rubber diaphragm, that allows the.

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Environment One Extreme Sewer Pump EOne X Plumber Review - Video

Plumber Trades In Truck, It Ends Up With ISIS, Now It Haunts Him
"A Texas plumber says he has no idea how his company #39;s work truck ended up in the hands of Islamic extremists in Syria. The truck, a black Ford F-250 with the logo for Texas City #39;s Mark-1...

By: The Young Turks

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A 39-year-old plumber died on Sunday after he allegedly fell through the elevator shaft of a Royal Palms building in Aarey Milk Colony, Goregaon (East). He was allegedly trying to get into the lift, which was under maintenance, from the fifth floor.

According to the police, Sunir Baisane had gone to the complex for plumbing work at around 5 pm. Vilas Chavan, senior inspector of Aarey Colony police station, said, "He may not have been aware that the lift was not working. He opened the iron grills and tried to enter. Since it was too dark inside, he may have stepped inside and fallen through the shaft."

Baisane's colleague was in the washroom when the incident happened. On hearing a loud thud, he and some residents rushed to the spot and found Baisane lying in a pool of blood on the roof of the lift on the ground floor. He was immediately rushed to Cooper Hospital, after which the police was informed.

"Primafacie we have registered a case of accidental death. No foul play is suspected. We are awaiting post-mortem reports. We are checking if there has been negligence of any sort," said inspector Chavan.

Baisane lived in unit 7 of Aarey Colony. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

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Plumber dies after falling through lift shaft in Aarey

HAMILTON COUNTY, TN (WRCB) -

When it comes to the bitterly cold temperatures, we're all probably a little out of practice. The cold weather crept up on many of us last year and it left some with hefty bills for repairs with busted pipes.

Wednesday will make one year since Courts of Waterford saw water damage to more than 50 units after pipes burst. The complex is not taking the same chances this year and is now requiring the residents to take precautions by requiring their residents to keep their thermostat at 69 degrees, and letting their faucets drip. But Courts at Waterford weren't the only ones with bad luck.

"Last January is probably the most overtime we've worked in 10 years," said Kay Keefe, Keefe Plumbing.

Keefe says they're prepared for the winter weather that's due to hit Wednesday, but aren't so sure residents are since temperatures have been so mild.

"If people would just prepare, they would save themselves a lot of trouble," said Keefe.

It takes just five minutes and regardless of your budget, you'll find something to protect your home.

Kyle Burriss from Ace Hardware says you should cover your outdoor faucets with styrofoam or plastic covers. He says you could even use a few things lying around the house.

"If you can't get anything else, a few rags or bags and tape and that's going to be really the quickest do it yourself fix," said Burriss.

For the price of one of the covers, Burriss says it's worth the trip to the store.

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Local plumber urging everyone to prepare for winter weather

1-800-Plumbing in Ancaster, Ontario is the number you need when you require prompt, professional and reliable plumbing services. Locally owned and operated, we are here when you need us that means 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

At 1-800-Plumbing we are customers too and we never forget that when entering your home or business. Our residential and commercial plumbers have great respect for your time, money and intelligence. Youll always receive prompt, professional service from each of our plumbers, whether you need general plumbing assistance or emergency repairs.

As customers ourselves, we know that when it comes to surprises once a job is complete most arent welcome. Our straight-forward, flat-rate pricing means that the price we quote at the beginning of the job is the actual price you pay every time! We also offer great low-financing options so those unexpected expenses dont destroy your budget.

Our service manager is a licensed Master Plumber with over 20 years of experience and all of the technicians that work for 1-800-Plumbing are registered with the government and receive ongoing training in order to keep up with the latest technology.

When you call 1-800-Plumbing youll never get an automated service. Our friendly and helpful customer service personnel will book your call and dispatch the most qualified technician for your job.

When it comes to your plumbing and drain cleaning needs, you have a choice put your trust in the 1-800-Plumbing experts! Whether youre looking for Hamilton plumbers or plumbers throughout Ontario, 1-800-Plumbing is your number one plumbing provider.

No job is too big or too small and all of our service vehicles are fully equipped and ready for any job 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information please visit us online at http://1800plumbing.ca or contact us day or night at 1-800-758-6246.

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