2025年11月23日星期日

[Earth] South Atlantic Anomaly and Huge Structures inside Earth Related to the Life Origin?

Here is a Summary of Two Interesting Articles related to Earth. The second one is important for our future. 

Article 1: Scientists Say Huge Structures Inside Earth Are Related to the Origin of Life

Huge Structures Inside Earth
Scientists have identified two continent-sized dense rock structures at the boundary of Earth’s mantle and core, located beneath Africa and the Pacific Ocean.

These formations, called large-low shear velocity provinces (LLSVPs) and ultra-low velocity zones, disrupt seismic waves and suggest unusual composition.

New Theory
A team led by Yoshinori Miyazaki (Rutgers University) proposes that these structures formed from silicon and magnesium leaking from Earth’s core billions of years ago.

This leakage may have “contaminated” a basal magma ocean, preventing uniform solidification and creating the lumpy mantle composition.

Implications for Earth’s Evolution
This process could have helped Earth cool sufficiently, triggering volcanic activity and shaping the atmosphere.

It may explain why Earth developed a stable, habitable environment, while Venus and Mars became inhospitable.

Scientific Significance
These structures are described as “fingerprints of Earth’s earliest history.”

Understanding them could provide insight into planetary formation and why Earth is uniquely suited for life.

Article 2: This Strange Anomaly is Expanding, And NASA is Tracking It Over the South Atlantic

What the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) Is
The South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) is a weak spot in Earth’s magnetic field, located between South America and southwest Africa.

It appears as a “dent” in the magnetic shield, allowing more high-energy solar particles to reach satellites.

Expansion and Division
The anomaly has been expanding steadily since its discovery, growing by nearly half the size of continental Europe since 2014.

In 2020, scientists observed that the anomaly is splitting into two distinct regions, with different behaviors near Africa and South America.

Risks to Satellites
Satellites passing through the SAA are vulnerable to glitches or malfunctions caused by solar particles.

Operators often shut down sensitive systems temporarily to prevent data loss or damage.

NASA has already observed real-time disruptions linked to the anomaly.

Possible Causes
The anomaly may be influenced by a massive dense rock structure beneath Africa called the African Large Low Shear Velocity Province.

This disrupts the magnetic field generated by Earth’s molten iron core.

NASA geophysicists note that a localized reversed polarity field is growing in the region, weakening the overall magnetic strength.

Scientific Importance
The SAA provides clues about how Earth’s magnetic field evolves.

Ongoing monitoring is crucial for protecting space missions and understanding planetary dynamics.

Researchers emphasize that the anomaly is slow-moving but changing in morphology, requiring continuous observation. 



Growing South Atlantic Anomaly Threatening Satellites and Spacecraft. | WION Podcast
Something Weird Is Happening In Earth's Magnetic Field & NASA is Worried

2025年11月22日星期六

[Space] Moon's Helium-3

Helium‑3 is a rare, stable isotope of helium with two protons and one neutron, first isolated in 1939 after being proposed by physicist Mark Oliphant in 1934. Unlike the more common helium‑4, it is fermionic and exhibits unique quantum properties such as becoming a superfluid at extremely low temperatures. On Earth, helium‑3 is scarce, occurring in trace amounts in the atmosphere, mantle, and natural gas deposits, and is mainly produced through the radioactive decay of tritium. However, it is thought to be more abundant on the Moon, where solar wind has implanted it into the regolith over billions of years, and in the atmospheres of gas giants. Its potential as a clean nuclear fusion fuel—because helium‑3 fusion reactions produce little to no harmful neutron radiation—has made it a subject of scientific and geopolitical interest, though practical extraction and use remain technologically and economically challenging

The new mineral discovered on the Moon, named Changesite- (Y), was identified by Chinese scientists from lunar samples collected during the Chang'e-5 mission. This mineral is a phosphate with a chemical formula of (Ca8Y)□Fe2+ (PO4)7, forming colorless, transparent columnar crystals in basalt particles. It was first identified by researchers at the Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology and is the sixth new lunar mineral to be found. Changesite- (Y) is significant as it contains helium-3, a rare isotope that could be used in nuclear fusion, potentially providing a clean energy source for future generations.

Timeline of Helium‑3
1934 – Australian physicist Mark Oliphant first proposed the existence of Helium‑3 while experimenting with nuclear reactions at Cambridge’s Cavendish Laboratory.

1939 – Luis Alvarez and Robert Cornog successfully isolated Helium‑3, proving it was a stable isotope rather than radioactive.

1972 – Researchers published the discovery of superfluid Helium‑3, showing that unlike bosonic Helium‑4, it behaves as a fermion and enters a superfluid state at millikelvin temperatures.

Late 20th Century – Helium‑3 became recognized as a byproduct of tritium decay in nuclear reactors, making it available in small industrial quantities.

2000s–Present – Interest grew in Helium‑3 as a potential fusion fuel due to its aneutronic reactions (producing little radioactive waste). Scientists also highlighted its scarcity on Earth but relative abundance on the Moon’s regolith and in gas giant atmospheres.

2025 – Pulsar Helium Inc. announced a terrestrial discovery of Helium‑3 in Minnesota, sparking renewed attention to Earth‑based recovery alongside lunar mining ambitions.

Helium-3: The Moon’s Hidden Super Fuel—and China Is Closer Than Anyone
Helium-3: The Future Energy Source on the Moon

[Stock Market] Michael Burry takes aim at Nvidia after its earnings blowout

 

Summary of The Main Points of The Article - 'Big Short' investor Michael Burry takes aim at Nvidia after its earnings blowout

11/20/2025

'Big Short' investor Michael Burry takes aim at Nvidia after its earnings blowout

Michael Burry vs. Nvidia

Michael Burry, famed for “The Big Short,” criticized Nvidia after its strong earnings report.

He questioned the durability of Nvidia’s chips, dilution of its stock, and “give-and-take deals” in AI.

Burry continues to warn of an AI bubble despite Nvidia’s record-breaking results.

Nvidia’s Response

Nvidia reported record revenue and profit last quarter, with a bullish forecast for Q4.

CFO Colette Kress highlighted visibility to $0.5 trillion in Blackwell and Rubin revenue across 2025–2026.

She also projected $3–4 trillion annual AI infrastructure build by 2030.

CEO Jensen Huang dismissed bubble concerns, saying Nvidia sees “something very different.”

Market Reaction

Nvidia’s stock rose about 5% in premarket trading following the earnings beat. (Then, the Nvidia stock dropped from ~195 to ~175 on 11/20/2025. This might be partly caused by the market situation.)