Features Archive 2018
Tracking Dynamo Waves Inside the Sun to Fathom the Solar Cycle
For the first time, scientists have verified that precise measurements of the speed of flows on the solar surface enable us to detect the start of a new solar cycle long before it travels more than 200,000 kilometers (120,000 miles) from the convection zone to the surface. Visualizations produced from NASA data open a window into the Sun’s interior, revealing dynamo wave patterns that help us understand the solar cycle better than ever before.
Learn more about simulations to pinpoint the location where solar cycles originate.
Aircraft Noise Reduction Technologies Come in for a Landing
Supported by high-fidelity, full-scale aircraft simulations run on the Pleiades supercomputer, NASA flight tests recently demonstrated new ways to reduce airframe noise without impacting aerodynamic performance.
Learn more about simulations to run on the Pleiades supercomputer help reduce aircraft noise .
Predicting the Sun’s Corona for the Great American Solar Eclipse
Heliophysics researchers ran complex, dynamic solar models on the Pleiades supercomputer, using real-time observational data to predict the features of the solar corona prior to the 2017 Great American Solar Eclipse.
Learn more about simulations to predict the solar corona for the 2017 Great Amercian Solar Eclipse.
Scientists Use Supercomputers to Predict Asteroid Damage on Earth
Simulations of hypothetical impact scenarios run on the Pleiades supercomputer help calculate risks and assess possible damage that might occur when asteroids enter Earth's atmosphere.
Learn more about simulations of hypothetical impact scenarios
Helping Keep Astronauts Safe with Advanced Simulations, Visualizations
Research scientists in the NASA Advanced Supercomputing (NAS) Division are producing highly detailed simulations and visualizations to help keep astronauts safe during takeoff of NASA’s Orion multi-purpose crew vehicle, which will transport humans to interplanetary destinations such as the moon and eventually Mars and return them safely back to Earth.
Learn more about simulations and visualizations being done for astronaut safety.
A Hybrid Quadcopter for Longer Flights, Quieter Skies
High-fidelity simulations run on the Pleiades supercomputer are helping aeronautics engineers discover ways to make multirotor drones that fly longer and quieter.
Learn more about simulations for designing multi-rotor aircraft.
