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UW scientists hope to unlock cosmic secrets with dynamo experiment

Scientists could better understand how solar flares disrupt cellphone calls, wipe out power grids and knock out satellites, thanks to an aluminum sphere at UW-Madison that resembles the Death Star from “Star Wars.” The 11,000-pound hollow vessel, built to stir gas at 500,000 degrees Fahrenheit and replicate the process that creates the sun?s magnetic field, was installed this week in Sterling Hall.