Cluster spacecraft detects elusive space wind

July 2, 2013 ? A new study provides the first conclusive proof of the existence of a space wind first proposed theoretically over 20 years ago. By analysing data from the European Space Agency's Cluster spacecraft, researcher Iannis Dandouras detected this plasmaspheric wind, so-called because it contributes to the loss of material from the plasmasphere, a donut-shaped region extending above Earth's atmosphere. The results are published today in Annales Geophysicae, a journal of the European Geosciences Union (EGU).

"After long scrutiny of the data, there it was, a slow but steady wind, releasing about 1 kg of plasma every second into the outer magnetosphere: this corresponds to almost 90 tonnes every day. It was definitely one of the nicest surprises I've ever had!" said Dandouras of the Research Institute in Astrophysics and Planetology in Toulouse, France.

The plasmasphere is a region filled with charged particles that takes up the inner part of Earth's magnetosphere, which is dominated by the planet's magnetic field.

To detect the wind, Dandouras analysed the properties of these charged particles, using information collected in the plasmasphere by ESA's Cluster spacecraft. Further, he developed a filtering technique to eliminate noise sources and to look for plasma motion along the radial direction, either directed at Earth or outer space.

As detailed in the new Annales Geophysicae study, the data showed a steady and persistent wind carrying about a kilo of the plasmasphere's material outwards each second at a speed of over 5,000 km/h. This plasma motion was present at all times, even when Earth's magnetic field was not being disturbed by energetic particles coming from the Sun.

Researchers predicted a space wind with these properties over 20 years ago: it is the result of an imbalance between the various forces that govern plasma motion. But direct detection eluded observation until now.

"The plasmaspheric wind is a weak phenomenon, requiring for its detection sensitive instrumentation and detailed measurements of the particles in the plasmasphere and the way they move," explains Dandouras, who is also the vice-president of the EGU Planetary and Solar System Sciences Division.

The wind contributes to the loss of material from Earth's top atmospheric layer and, at the same time, is a source of plasma for the outer magnetosphere above it. Dandouras explains: "The plasmaspheric wind is an important element in the mass budget of the plasmasphere, and has implications on how long it takes to refill this region after it is eroded following a disturbance of the planet's magnetic field. Due to the plasmaspheric wind, supplying plasma -- from the upper atmosphere below it -- to refill the plasmasphere is like pouring matter into a leaky container."

The plasmasphere, the most important plasma reservoir inside the magnetosphere, plays a crucial role in governing the dynamics of Earth's radiation belts. These present a radiation hazard to satellites and to astronauts travelling through them. The plasmasphere's material is also responsible for introducing a delay in the propagation of GPS signals passing through it.

"Understanding the various source and loss mechanisms of plasmaspheric material, and their dependence on the geomagnetic activity conditions, is thus essential for understanding the dynamics of the magnetosphere, and also for understanding the underlying physical mechanisms of some space weather phenomena," says Dandouras.

Michael Pinnock, Editor-in-Chief of Annales Geophysicae recognises the importance of the new result. "It is a very nice proof of the existence of the plasmaspheric wind. It's a significant step forward in validating the theory. Models of the plasmasphere, whether for research purposes or space weather applications (e.g. GPS signal propagation) should now take this phenomenon into account," he wrote in an email.

Similar winds could exist around other planets, providing a way for them to lose atmospheric material into space. Atmospheric escape plays a role in shaping a planet's atmosphere and, hence, its habitability.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_science/~3/nrO-OFN8HJQ/130702100106.htm

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Apple files for iWatch trademark... in Japan

Apple has filed to trademark the term "iWatch" in Japan. Naoko Fujimura and Takashi Amano of Bloomberg report:

The maker of iPhones is seeking protection for the name which is categorized as being for products including a handheld computer or watch device, according to a June 3 filing with the Japan Patent Office that was made public last week. Takashi Takebayashi, a Tokyo-based spokesman for Apple, didn?t respond to a message left at his office seeking comment on the application.

Bloomberg also triples down on their rumor, from February, of 100 product designers at Apple working on the wearable device popularly referred to as "iWatch".

As to the term being filed for in Japan, given how much time, effort, and money Apple's put into securing i-prefaced product names and domains in the past, including ones they never actually used, like the iSlate, it's impossible to draw any conclusions from the process itself.

iMore has previously heard that the iWatch project is indeed moving forward at Apple as well. Like patents, however, it makes sense for Apple to grab anything and everything they can, even if it's only to keep such terms out of the hands of other companies, squatters, and competitors.

As an actual product, an iWatch would be to a watch what an iPhone was to a phone -- something that does far, far more, but packaged in a way that makes it understandable to the mainstream. In that context, "iWatch" does make a lot of sense, but is it the best alternative? Could Apple use "iPod" instead? Or something else entirely?

Source: Bloomberg

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/NVwKEMRMCT4/story01.htm

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BET Awards 'Unchained': Best Actor Jamie Foxx Shouts Out Rap 'Djangos'

'Django' co-star Kerry Washington also wins big, and more results from the movies side of the BET Awards.
By Josh Wigler

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1709817/bet-awards-jamie-foxx-best-actor.jhtml

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Ecuador president: Snowden can't leave Moscow

PORTOVIEJO, Ecuador -- Edward Snowden is "under the care of the Russian authorities" and can't leave Moscow's international airport without their consent, Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa told The Associated Press Sunday in an interview telegraphing the slim and diminishing possibility that the National Security Agency leaker will end up in Ecuador.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has distanced himself from the case since Snowden arrived in Russia last week. But Correa portrayed Russia as entirely the masters of Snowden's fate.

Putin insists the 30-year-old former NSA contractor remains in the transit zone of Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport and that as long as he has not legally entered Russia, he is out of the Kremlin's control.

However, the Kremlin also said Sunday that it will take public opinion and the views of human rights activists into account when considering Snowden's case, a move that could lay the groundwork for him to seek asylum in Russia.

"This is the decision of Russian authorities," Correa told the AP during a visit to this Pacific coast city. "He doesn't have a passport. I don't know the Russian laws, I don't know if he can leave the airport, but I understand that he can't. At this moment he's under the care of the Russian authorities. If he arrives at an Ecuadorean Embassy we'll analyze his request for asylum."

Last week, several members of Russia's Presidential Council for Human Rights spoke out in support of Snowden, saying he deserved to receive political asylum in the country of his choice and should not be handed over to the United States. And a handful of protesters picketed outside the Moscow airport in what appeared to be an orchestrated demonstration on Friday, holding signs reading "Edward, Russia is your second motherland" and "Russia is behind Snowden."

Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Ekho Moskvy radio that while Snowden is not Russia's concern, the Kremlin is aware of the viewpoints of Russian experts and representatives of human rights organizations.

"Public opinion on the subject is very rich," Peskov said in the radio interview. "We are aware of this and are taking it into account."

Correa said he had no idea Snowden's intended destination was Ecuador when he fled Hong Kong for Russia last week. He said the Ecuadorean consul in London committed "a serious error" by not consulting officials in Ecuador's capital when the consul issued a letter of safe passage for Snowden. He said the consul would be punished, although he didn't specify how.

Analysts familiar with the workings of the Ecuadorean government said Correa's claims that the decision was entirely Russia's appeared to be at least partly disingenuous. They said they believed Correa's administration at first intended to host Snowden, then started back-tracking this week when the possible consequences became clearer.

"I think the government started to realize the dimensions of what it was getting itself into, how it was managing things and the consequences that this could bring," said Santiago Basabe, an analyst and professor of political sciences at the Latin American School of Social Sciences in the Ecuadorean capital, Quito. "So it started pulling back, and they'll never tell us why, but I think the alarm bells started to go off from people very close to the government, maybe Ecuador's ambassador in Washington warned them about the consequences of asylum for Snowden."

Gonzalo Solano contributed from Quito, Ecuador. Lynn Berry in Moscow contributed to this report.

Source: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/30/3478238/ecuador-president-snowden-cant.html

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FCC approves Google's white space wireless database

Google may have been on pins and needles while the FCC scrutinized its white space wireless database over the spring, but it can relax this summer -- the FCC has given the database the all-clear. The approval lets Google serve as one of ten go-to sources for white space devices needing safe frequencies in the US. It also lets those with interference-prone devices, such as wireless microphone users, register the airwaves they consider off-limits to white space technology. The clearance won't have much immediate effect when very few Americans are using the spectrum, but it's a step forward for rural broadband rollouts and other situations where long-range, unlicensed wireless comes in handy.

Filed under: Wireless, Networking, Google

Comments

Via: SlashGear

Source: FCC, Google

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/AWBpykTpACA/

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Williams loses to Lisicki in Wimbledon stunner

LONDON (AP) ? Serena Williams joined a growing list of marquee names eliminated early at this wild and unpredictable Wimbledon.

The defending champion and five-time Wimbledon winner failed to close out a see-saw third set Monday, dropping the last four games to Sabine Lisicki of Germany and losing 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 in the fourth round. The result ended Williams' career-best 34-match winning streak.

It was the latest in a string of improbable exits to jolt the tournament, with defending champion Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal knocked out in the first three days along with Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka.

"I probably couldn't be more disappointed," Williams said. "I think I may have backed off of a success. I was playing something successful. I didn't continue that path. The result didn't go the way it could have gone had I continued to play the way I did in the second set."

Of the two big favorites still in the tournament, second-seeded Andy Murray stayed on course for a second straight final by beating 20th-seeded Mikhail Youzhny of Russia 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-1, while top-ranked Novak Djokovic played Tommy Haas later.

After dropping the first set, Williams looked to be cruising, winning nine straight games to take a 3-0 lead in the third. The players then traded breaks to give Williams a 4-2 lead, but the American couldn't win another game despite having four break points at 4-3.

Those would have given her a chance to serve for the match. Instead, Lisicki held, broke again, and converted her second match point with a forehand winner.

"I'm still shaking," Lisicki said in a post-match interview, covering her face with her hands to wipe away tears. "I'm just so happy."

Williams said her serve ? usually her main weapon ? let her down in the third set.

"I felt that I was on the verge of winning," she said. "At that point I just was physically unable to hold serve. ... You have to be ready and willing to hold your serve. I wasn't willing or able, probably didn't even want to hold my serve today."

Lisicki reached the semifinals at the All England Club in 2011 but this will rank as her biggest victory at the grass-court Grand Slam. She has now eliminated the reigning French Open champion the last four times she played Wimbledon, having missed the tournament in 2010. She ousted Sharapova in the fourth round last year.

Murray, facing the ever-increasing pressure to become the first British man since 1936 to win Wimbledon, was in trouble in the second set. He trailed 5-2 against Youzhny, a 2012 Wimbledon quarterfinalist, but broke back when the Russian served for the set at 5-4. Then, down 5-3 in the tiebreaker, Murray took the set's last four points. He broke immediately in the third, and cruised from there to set up a meeting with Fernando Verdasco of Spain.

Murray is the only British player left in the tournament, after 19-year-old Laura Robson lost. She couldn't recover from her missed chances in the first set and fell 7-6 (5), 7-5 to Kaia Kanepi of Estonia, failing to become the first British woman in the quarters of any Grand Slam since 1984.

Robson, the first British woman to reach the second week at Wimbledon since 1998, served for the first set at 5-4 but was broken, then led 5-2 in the tiebreaker. She double-faulted at 5-4, with neither serve coming close to going in ? the first one went about 5 feet long and the second bounced into the net.

"I had my chances here and there and I just didn't take them," Robson said. "At that point, I was just trying to will myself to play unbelievable tennis when just making a serve would have been fine. But, as cliche as it sounds, it's all part of the learning experience. The more I get myself into those kinds of situations, the more I'm going to benefit."

Instead of a big headline Williams vs. Robson matchup, Kanepi will now face Lisicki in the quarterfinals.

Former champion Petra Kvitova, last year's runner-up Agnieszka Radwanska and No. 4 David Ferrer all avoided upsets to advance, as did sixth-seeded Li Na of China.

Juan Martin del Potro, playing with his left knee heavily taped after a scary fall in the previous round, beat Andreas Seppi 6-4, 7-6 (2), 6-3. He said his knee was "really painful" but that he hopes it will be better by the time he plays fourth-seeded David Ferrer on Wednesday.

Ferrer overcame another slow start to beat Ivan Dodig of Croatia 6-7 (3), 7-6 (6), 6-1, 6-1. Having trailed twice in the previous round before winning in five sets, Ferrer struggled initially to create opportunities on Dodig's serve and was two points from going two sets down against the Croat. But he dominated the final two sets, breaking Dodig five times and clinching the match with a forehand winner.

Despite Williams' loss, there's still an American woman in the quarters after Sloane Stephens beat 19-year-old Monica Puig of Puerto Rico 4-6, 7-5, 6-1.

On a busy day at Wimbledon with every round-of-16 match to be played, Kvitova was the first to reach the last eight, beating Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain 7-6 (5), 6-3. She will play Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium, who reached her first career Grand Slam quarterfinal by ousting Flavia Pennetta of Italy 7-6 (2), 6-3 ? a year after her ranking plummeted to 262nd because of injuries.

Poland will send two men into the quarterfinals for the first time after 24th-seeded Jerzy Janowicz and 130th-ranked Lukasz Kubot each won five-set matches.

The big-serving Janowicz outlasted Jurgen Melzer 3-6, 7-6 (1), 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, while Kubot defeated Adrian Mannarino 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. They'll play each other Wednesday with the winner becoming the country's first Grand Slam semifinalist.

In other results, Verdasco beat Frenchman Kenny De Schepper 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, and 15th-seeded Marion Bartoli ousted Karin Knapp of Italy 6-2, 6-3. Radwanska rallied to beat Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/williams-loses-lisicki-wimbledon-stunner-150338784.html

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Ford Escape Intermittently Dies

zigt59 User Jun?29,?2013,?8:47?AM Post #1 of 6 (67 views) Shortcut Ford Escape Intermittently Dies Can't Post 2003 Ford Escape, six cylinder, 3.?, automatic, with 75K miles. Car intermittently dies. We just bought this car for my 18 year old son 10 weeks ago, about 4 weeks ago it died when he was out delivering. It he was parked after restarting from a delivery he started backing out it died, it was a hot day so he shut off the AC and radio. He restarted it right away and it ran for a block and died again, all the warning lights came on, it restarted right away and he called me, we switched cars. It ran fine, temp and everything was good, I stopped and looked at the codes nothing was set. So in the next several days I looked everything over, checking hoses and the most common items, the only things that did I replaced the air filter and I cleaned the mass air flow sensor with the proper cleaner for it. The air filter was dirty, so I drove the car for several days and had no problems so I gave it back to my son to use. It worked well for about 4 weeks and on June 26 it happened again, the same as before and again no codes were set. I have drove the car for the last two days and I have had no more incidents yet! It runs very good. In the last two days I have been checking all the wiring harness and so far I have not found anything. Intermittent problems are a bXXX to find. My questions is there anyone that is had the same problem and what did you do to fix it in your case? Suggestions? Thanks in advance, Terry Ziegenhorn

Tom?Greenleaf Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator Jun?29,?2013,?9:35?AM Post #2 of 6 (56 views) Shortcut Re: Ford Escape Intermittently Dies [In reply to] Can't Post No codes and intermittent stalling out? Are you sure there are no codes? Dirty air filter? With what? Road dust, pollen or dunno? In that it can run all those cycles codes could self clear so may take some wiggle testing of connections, wiring, vacuum hoses, water misting (easy doing that) to see if you can aggravate it to locate a problem spot. No harm in checking fuel pressure as it might be borderline. Seems more of a GM thing. Toss fuel filter just because unless you know it was just done, T _________________________________________ Long retired now

zigt59 User Jun?29,?2013,?12:47?PM Post #4 of 6 (21 views) Shortcut Re: Ford Escape Intermittently Dies [In reply to] Can't Post The only code was a security warning we added a remote control and programed it, I assume that it was from that. The air filter was just road dust, so I put a new one on and cleaned the mass air flow sensor also. I did do a lot of poking and prodding of the wiring and the hoses, nothing yet. I will try water mist and carb cleaner, all the hoses look new. ?? This has only happened at a low idle?? I would expect if it was the fuel filter or pressure that would set a code. At least it did on my other son's ranger. Do you happen to know what the pressure is supposed to be? I think the next time I run to town I'll get a book for this car and filter. Thanks

Hammer?Time Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator Jun?29,?2013,?12:52?PM Post #5 of 6 (18 views) Shortcut Re: Ford Escape Intermittently Dies [In reply to] Can't Post 448 kPa (65 psi) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.

zigt59 User Jun?29,?2013,?12:52?PM Post #6 of 6 (16 views) Shortcut Re: Ford Escape Intermittently Dies [In reply to] Can't Post I have not noticed anything abnormal on the AC yet, the clutch and the PSI is good. I agree with you on the switches, but it was something easy to try. zigt

Source: http://autoforums.carjunky.com/Automotive_Repair_C1/General_Discussions_F5/Ford_Escape_Intermittently_Dies_P144362/

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