Sh2-279 is a designated object in the Sharpless catalog, which is a catalog of H II regions (clouds of ionized hydrogen) and other emission nebulae. Specifically, Sh2-279 is an H II region located in the constellation Cassiopeia. It is associated with star formation and is known for being part of a larger region of interstellar gas and dust.

The TW Hydrae Association is a group of young stars located relatively close to Earth, specifically in the constellation Hydra. It is notable for containing a number of late-type stars that are approximately 8 to 15 million years old, which is relatively young in astronomical terms. The association is named after the star TW Hydrae, a T Tauri star that serves as one of its most prominent members.

The Trifid Nebula, also known as M20, is a stunning and well-known region of star formation located in the constellation Sagittarius. It is approximately 5,200 light-years away from Earth. The Trifid Nebula is notable for its distinct features, which include a combination of an emission nebula, a reflection nebula, and a dark nebula.

Finger rafting is a technique used in whitewater rafting, typically to enhance stability and safety during challenging river maneuvers. It involves passengers (rafters) placing their hands in a "fingering" position, gripping the sides or edges of the raft. This creates a connection between the raft and the paddlers, allowing for better control and transfer of energy when navigating through rapids or rough water. The technique can be particularly helpful in situations where team coordination is crucial for maintaining balance and speed.

An ice pier is a structure, typically made of reinforced concrete or steel, that extends into a body of water, such as a lake or sea, and is designed to support maritime activities in icy conditions. These piers serve several purposes, including: 1. **Facilitating Transportation**: Ice piers allow ships and boats to dock even during winter months when ice might obstruct traditional ports or harbors.

An ice volcano, also known as a cryovolcano, is a geological feature that erupts volatile substances such as water, ammonia, or methane in the form of ice rather than molten rock, which is typical of regular volcanoes. These cryovolcanoes are often found on icy moons and dwarf planets in the outer solar system, where temperatures are too low for liquid water to exist on the surface.

Sea ice brine pockets are small, concentrated areas of saline (salty) water found within sea ice. When seawater freezes, the formation of ice excludes much of the salt, leading to the concentration of brine in pockets and channels within the ice structure. These brine pockets can vary in size and distribution, depending on factors such as temperature, salinity, and the specific conditions under which the ice formed.

Strudel refers to a type of layered pastry that is filled with sweet or savory ingredients, with the most famous variety being apple strudel. The dough is rolled out thin and wrapped around the filling, then baked until flaky and golden.

Lithium tantalate (LiTaO₃) is a compound composed of lithium, tantalum, and oxygen. It is primarily known for its piezoelectric, ferroelectric, and photorefractive properties, making it a valuable material in various applications, particularly in electronics and optics. ### Key Properties: 1. **Piezoelectricity**: Lithium tantalate can generate an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress.

Potassium sodium tartrate, also known as Rochelle salt, is a chemical compound with the formula KNaC₄H₄O₆. It appears as a colorless or white crystalline solid and is the potassium and sodium salt of tartaric acid. Rochelle salt is soluble in water and has a number of applications, including: 1. **Food Industry**: It can be used as a food additive and a stabilizing agent in certain food products.

Sodium bismuth titanate (NBT) is a ceramic material with the chemical formula NaBiTi₃O₉. It is a perovskite-like oxide that exhibits interesting properties, especially in terms of its ferroelectric, piezoelectric, and electrooptic characteristics. These properties make NBT a significant material in various applications, particularly in the fields of electronics and materials science. **Key Features of Sodium Bismuth Titanate:** 1.

The term "silhouette" can refer to several different concepts depending on the context: 1. **Visual Arts and Design**: In art and design, a silhouette is a two-dimensional representation of an object or person, typically depicted as a solid shape, often in black, against a lighter background. Silhouettes capture the outline of an object without detailed features, emphasizing the shape and form.

The Alfvén surface is a concept in plasma physics, particularly in the context of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and astrophysical plasmas. It represents a boundary within a plasma where the influence of magnetic fields on plasma dynamics undergoes a significant transition. In more detail, the Alfvén surface is defined as the locus of points in space where the Alfvén speed equals the local speed of the plasma.

Fermi glow refers to a subtle background glow of gamma radiation that is thought to be produced by processes related to cosmic rays interacting with the interstellar medium and the intergalactic medium. It is named after the physicist Enrico Fermi, who made significant contributions to the understanding of cosmic rays. The glow is primarily observed at high energies and has been detected by various space-based observatories.

The "Homeric Minimum" refers to a proposed climatic phenomenon that suggests there was a period of reduced solar activity during the time of Homer (approximately the 8th century BCE), which may have contributed to colder temperatures in the Mediterranean region. This concept stems from research into historical climate patterns, sunspot activity, and the potential impacts on weather and agriculture during antiquity.

Joan Feynman (1935–2020) was an American astrophysicist known for her significant contributions to the fields of space science and solar physics. She was the younger sister of the renowned physicist Richard Feynman. Joan made notable contributions to the understanding of solar wind and its interactions with Earth's magnetosphere. Throughout her career, she was an advocate for women in science, helping to promote opportunities for women in various scientific fields.

A magnetic switchback is a phenomenon observed in the magnetosphere of planets, including Earth, and is particularly related to the interaction between the solar wind and the planet's magnetic field. In this context, a switchback refers to a magnetic field reversal where the direction of the magnetic field temporarily flips, creating an undulating pattern. These switchbacks can occur in regions of the solar wind, especially when interacting with coronal holes or during solar flares.

A solar prominence is a large, bright feature extending outward from the Sun's surface, often in an arch-like shape. These structures are composed of cooler, dense gas (plasma) that is suspended in the Sun's outer atmosphere, or corona, by magnetic fields. Prominences typically form in regions of strong magnetic activity, such as sunspot areas, and can extend thousands of kilometers into space.

Solar spicules are dynamic structures observed in the Sun's chromosphere, which is a layer of the solar atmosphere located just above the photosphere and below the corona. Spicules are jet-like features that appear as narrow, elongated streams of plasma that erupt upward, reaching heights of several thousand kilometers. Key characteristics of solar spicules include: 1. **Formation**: Spicules are thought to be formed through the interaction of magnetic fields and the solar atmosphere.

Spörer's law refers to a phenomenon observed in solar physics related to solar activity and sunspot cycles. Specifically, it describes the relationship between the latitude of sunspots and their appearance over the solar cycle. According to Spörer's law, sunspots tend to form at higher latitudes during the early phases of a solar cycle and progressively appear closer to the solar equator as the cycle progresses toward its maximum phase.