Latest news with #UniversityOfMinnesota
Gizmodo
6 hours ago
- Science
- Gizmodo
Astronomers Detect Entirely New Type of Plasma Wave Above Jupiter's North Pole
Since entering Jupiter's orbit in 2016, NASA's Juno spacecraft has been hard at work unveiling the many mysteries of our solar system's largest planet. And its latest discovery may be one of the most intriguing yet: an entirely new type of plasma wave near Jupiter's poles. In a paper published Wednesday in Physical Review Letters, astronomers describe an unusual pattern of plasma waves in Jupiter's magnetosphere—a magnetic 'bubble' shielding the planet from external radiation. Jupiter's exceptionally powerful magnetic field appears to be forcing two very different types of plasmas to jiggle in tandem, creating a unique flow of charged particles and atoms in its polar regions. Plasma is a key force in shaping Jupiter's turbulent atmosphere. As such, the researchers believe the new observations will further advance our understanding of not only Jupiter's weather events but also the magnetic properties of distant exoplanets. For the study, the researchers analyzed the behavior of plasma waves in Jupiter's magnetosphere containing highly magnetized, low-density plasma. The team, a collaboration between researchers from the University of Minnesota, the University of Iowa, and the Southwest Research Institute, Texas, found an unexpected oscillation between Alfvén waves and Langmuir waves, which reflect the movement of the plasma's atoms and the movement of the electrons in the plasma, respectively. Electrons are much lighter than charged atoms, meaning that, normally, the two wave types ripple at very different frequencies—which was clearly not the case for Jupiter's magnetosphere, prompting the researchers to take a closer look. The ensuing investigation unveiled a never-before-seen type of plasma oscillation near Jupiter's poles. 'The observed plasma properties are really unusual, not found before and elsewhere in our solar system,' John Leif Jørgensen, a planetary scientist at the Technical University of Denmark who wasn't involved in the new work, told New Scientist. Unlike Earth's auroras, which are caused by solar storms, Jupiter's auroras—a barrage of frisky, superfast particles that are hundreds of times more energetic than auroras on Earth—sometimes emerge as a product of its powerful magnetic field. Getting a better grasp on how such phenomena work could be valuable information for future missions in the search for alien life on exoplanets, according to the study authors. Detailed New Images of Jupiter's Aurora Reveal Strange and Unexplained Brightness 'While such conditions do not occur [on] Earth, it is possible that they apply in polar regions of the other giant planets and potentially in strongly magnetized exoplanets or stars,' the astronomers wrote in the paper. 'Jupiter is the Rosetta Stone of our solar system,' said Scott Bolton, Juno's principal investigator, in NASA's introductory page for the spacecraft. 'Juno is going there as our emissary—to interpret what Jupiter has to say.' Initially, NASA expected Juno's mission to conclude in 2017, when they would intentionally steer the spacecraft into Jupiter's atmosphere, a decision that adheres to NASA's planetary protection requirements. But Juno's flight path evolved over time, and NASA concluded that the spacecraft no longer posed a threat to Jupiter's moons. As a result, the agency authorized extensions to the mission. Heck Yes, NASA's Juno and InSight Missions Are Getting Bonus Time That being said, the scientists do believe that, by September this year, Juno's orbit will degrade naturally, and it will be gobbled up by Jupiter's atmosphere. However, this by no means ends humanity's exploration of Jupiter; Europa Clipper is slated to reach Europa, Jupiter's moon, in 2030 (the last time we checked, it did some sightseeing near Mars). Of course, even after Jupiter consumes Juno, scientists will still have loads of invaluable data from the spacecraft that they'll continue to meticulously analyze for years to come.
Washington Post
09-07-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Minnesota extends P.J. Fleck's contract by 1 year through 2030 with retention bonus bump
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck agreed to a one-year contract extension through the 2030 season with an increase in retention bonuses that was approved by the university's board of regents on Wednesday. Fleck's annual $6 million salary remains the same. The retention bonus provision added to his deal in an amendment last year after UCLA pursued him will pay Fleck $1 million for staying at Minnesota through the end of 2025. The annual sweetener increases to $1.2 million for 2026, $1.3 million for 2027, $1.4 million for 2028, $1.5 million for 2029 and $1.6 million for 2030, an additional $2.3 million from the previous amounts. Including the retention bonus, Fleck is tied for 11th in coach compensation in the 18-team Big Ten. The Gophers are 58-39 in eight seasons under Fleck, including 6-0 in bowl games and 34-36 in Big Ten play. His overall winning percentage is third-best in program history among coaches with at least 45 games. ___ AP college football:
Associated Press
09-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Minnesota extends P.J. Fleck's contract by 1 year through 2030 with retention bonus bump
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck agreed to a one-year contract extension through the 2030 season with an increase in retention bonuses that was approved by the university's board of regents on Wednesday. Fleck's annual $6 million salary remains the same. The retention bonus provision added to his deal in an amendment last year after UCLA pursued him will pay Fleck $1 million for staying at Minnesota through the end of 2025. The annual sweetener increases to $1.2 million for 2026, $1.3 million for 2027, $1.4 million for 2028, $1.5 million for 2029 and $1.6 million for 2030, an additional $2.3 million from the previous amounts. Including the retention bonus, Fleck is tied for 11th in coach compensation in the 18-team Big Ten. The Gophers are 58-39 in eight seasons under Fleck, including 6-0 in bowl games and 34-36 in Big Ten play. His overall winning percentage is third-best in program history among coaches with at least 45 games. ___ AP college football:
CBS News
03-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Annie's Parlour in Dinkytown shuts its doors for good just one year after reopening
These two popular Minneapolis bars are closing this summer These two popular Minneapolis bars are closing this summer These two popular Minneapolis bars are closing this summer More than 50 years after it first opened its doors, Annie's Parlour in Minneapolis closed for good on Wednesday. "We looked things over and we made a decision Monday afternoon," said Tony Rimarcik, co-owner of Annie's Parlour. The signature family-owned spot in Dinkytown was known for burgers, malts and its special place within the University of Minnesota community. "It's very much a place tied to the neighborhood, and the university, and the students," Rimarcik said. Annie's Parlour closed during the pandemic and reopened last year. The most recent closure is due to a fall in student foot traffic, Rimarcik said. The parking in the area is terrible, with construction making it worse, Rimarcik added. There's also a perception of crime in Dinkytown, Rimarcik said, but he believes that is overblown by some. "We simply are going to lose more money being open than being closed," Rimarcik said. Palmer's Bar in Minneapolis' Cedar-Riverside neighborhood announced on Wednesday that it is also closing its doors, after nearly 120 years.
CBS News
26-06-2025
- CBS News
16-year-old charged in connection to armed robbery sprees near University of Minnesota
Rash of Dinkytown robberies has university students on edge Rash of Dinkytown robberies has university students on edge Rash of Dinkytown robberies has university students on edge A 16-year-old boy was charged in a string of armed robberies around the Dinkytown neighborhood of Minneapolis. Court documents show the teenager was charged with 10 felonies, including second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. The suspect's arraignment is scheduled for July 2. The juvenile petition says police responded to multiple armed robberies, with the first one being reported March 23 around 2:42 a.m near the University of Minnesota. Several other robberies were reported within minutes. The suspect was arrested on April 4 after fleeing police in a stolen vehicle in an unrelated incident, according to court documents. Prosecutors say the teen was wearing the same shoes as the suspect in the robberies. A handgun was also recovered from the vehicle which matched the weapon used in the robberies. The juvenile petition says DNA from three people were found on the car's steering wheel. The major DNA profile was determined to match the suspect. Back in March, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said three male juveniles and one female juvenile. No other arrests have been made. Anyone with information on these cases, including video or doorbell camera recording, to submit an anonymous tip online to Crime Stoppers, or call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Note: The above video originally aired on March 25, 2025.
