A new study using Spitzer data reveals a large amount of dust around three mature double-star systems, possibly resulting from planetary collisions. The research suggests that tight double-star systems might not be suitable for life to thrive due to the increased likelihood of chaotic events.
Astronomers studying a galactic black hole have found similarities between its eruption and the Eyjafjallajokull volcano on Earth. The cosmic eruption prevents hundreds of millions of new stars from forming by lifting cooler gas upwards.
Seven Northwestern graduate students will be 'resident scientists' at Chicago-area middle and high schools, integrating their research into the science curricula. The program aims to train graduate students in communicating complex research to people of all ages and bring computational thinking into the K-12 classroom.
Scientists have discovered a star with a mass of 265 solar masses in the Large Magellanic Cloud, exceeding previous records. This finding raises questions about the formation process of such massive stars and their role in shaping the universe.
Astronomers have discovered a quasar that acts as a gravitational lens, allowing them to weigh and measure a distant galaxy containing a black hole. This groundbreaking observation was made possible by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey database and will provide new insights into the distribution of matter in the universe.
Astronomers have discovered the first case of a distant galaxy being magnified by a quasar, allowing them to measure the masses of these host galaxies. This breakthrough provides new insights into galaxy formation and evolution, enabling scientists to better understand the relationship between quasars and their host galaxies.
Astronomers detected a record-breaking X-ray blast from beyond the Milky Way galaxy, temporarily blinding NASA's Swift space observatory. The burst, named GRB 100621A, was more than 140 times brighter than any continuous X-ray source in the sky.
Scientists investigate white dwarf remnants and binary systems to understand supernovae origins. However, the search for accreting white dwarfs yields few results, leading researchers to reconsider their theories.
Researchers have discovered a connection between giant gas clouds and the formation of active galactic nuclei, which power the bright centers of some galaxies. The study suggests that gas clouds can either be consumed by supermassive black holes or give birth to new stars, leading to increased activity.
Researchers at Durham University use huge computer simulations to recreate the beginnings of the Milky Way, finding that many ancient stars originated from smaller galaxies torn apart by galaxy collisions. The simulations provide a blueprint for galaxy formation and reveal clues to the early history of the Milky Way.
New results from a galaxy survey set the smallest upper limit on the size of the elusive neutrino particle to date at 0.28 electron volts. The research uses a large 3D map of galaxies and cosmic microwave background radiation, providing insights into dark matter.
Eight scientists recognized with Kavli Prizes for discoveries transforming our knowledge of matter, nanotechnology, brain signals, telescopes, and physiological functions. The awards promote public understanding of science and encourage international cooperation.
The study of single-particle resonant states in deformed relativistic potentials is essential for understanding exotic short-lived nuclei far from stability. The research team finds that the admixture of s1/2 component determines the occurrence of single-neutron resonant states as functions of the axial deformation parameter.
A new model proposes that the cosmic ray knee is caused by interactions between nuclei and photons at acceleration sources, explaining both the knee and recent electron/positron excesses. The model suggests a sharp break in the CR spectra at the knee energy due to rapid energy loss.
The Andromeda Galaxy's supermassive black hole, M31*, is surprisingly quiet and faint in X-ray light, deviating from expectations. A decade-long study by Chandra reveals that the black hole underwent a significant outburst of X-rays in 2006.
Researchers explore cosmic microwave radiation as favored method to detect primordial gravitational waves, offering a potentially new probe of early universe cosmology. The discovery could provide a dramatic new window on the origin and evolution of the universe.
Researchers from the University of the Basque Country and American scientists publish first results of a study on the impact of a large-sized celestial body on Jupiter last July. The impact created a massive ash cloud of around 5,000 km in size, with surrounding halo effects.
The discovery of SN2005E reveals a supernova whose origin cannot be explained by any previously known mechanism. It is rich in helium and surprisingly different from typical white dwarf systems.
Astronomers have identified a possible new class of supernovae that produces high levels of calcium, which could explain the element's abundance in galaxies and life on Earth. The 'calcium-rich' supernovae were discovered by detecting unusual elements in their spectra.
Researchers identify third type of supernova with unique chemical composition, suggesting a pair of white dwarves are involved. This discovery may explain the prevalence of certain elements in the universe and account for observed concentrations of particles called positrons.
An international team of astrophysicists has created the most complete atlas of nuclear rings, which are enormous star-forming ring-shaped regions that circle certain galactic nuclei. The catalogue includes 113 such rings in 107 galaxies and provides insights into their properties and relationships with galaxy structure.
Art McDonald, a world-renowned expert in nuclear and particle physics, has been awarded the 2010 Killam Prize for his groundbreaking work on neutrinos. His research at Queen's Sudbury Neutrino Observatory led to a deeper understanding of neutrino properties and their effects in the early universe.
The SKA is a $1 billion+ international project to create a 1 million sqm radio telescope, addressing fundamental questions in physics and astronomy. Experts expect significant economic and societal benefits from this massive scientific research infrastructure investment.
Astronomers have observed a galaxy 10 billion light-years away, finding four discrete star-forming regions making new stars 250 times faster than the Milky Way. The study reveals exquisite detail of these regions, which are 100 times brighter than nearby galaxies.
Researchers have solved a 20-year-old astrophysical puzzle using gas dynamical simulations. Filamentary structures formed during the collapse of infalling gas absorb massive stars' radiation, shielding surrounding nebulae from heating.
The Hubble Multi-Cycle Treasury Program will survey the first third of cosmic time, observing over 250,000 distant galaxies to understand galaxy formation and evolution. The project aims to study the earliest stages in the formation of supermassive black holes and find distant supernovae important for understanding dark energy.
The HM Cancri binary system consists of two white dwarfs with an orbital period of 5.4 minutes, making it the smallest and closest to Earth. Mass is flowing from one star to another, and this system has the potential to emit gravitational waves.
Scientists have discovered a relic star from the early universe, which has a remarkably similar chemical composition to the Milky Way's oldest stars. The discovery supports the theory that our galaxy underwent a 'cannibal' phase by swallowing smaller galaxies and other galactic building blocks.
Astronomers using NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope found that less than a third of gamma-ray emission arises from black-hole-powered jets. The study suggests that alternative explanations, such as particle acceleration in normal star-forming galaxies and dark matter, may be responsible for the extragalactic gamma-ray background.
Scientists are expanding their search for extraterrestrial life by moving beyond traditional radio signals. Paul Davies suggests using various scientific methods to scrutinise the solar system and galaxy for signs of past or present cosmic company.
The massive planet WASP-12b is being torn apart by the gravitational forces of its host star, resulting in a 'death march' that explains its unusually large size. The research also suggests the presence of a super-Earth in the disk around the star.
The University of California, Berkeley team's paper published in Science won the 2009 Newcomb Cleveland Prize for outstanding contributions to the field. The award recognizes the first visible-light picture of an extrasolar planet and its potential to change our view of how planets originate.
Researchers from Queen's University are making progress in detecting dark matter using the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search experiment. The team, led by Professor Wolfgang Rau, has observed two events with characteristics of an interaction involving a dark matter particle, but further analysis is needed to confirm the results.
Researchers found that gamma rays originate closer to one light year from black holes than expected, and the jet curves as it travels away from the black hole. This new understanding of blazar jets requires a rethinking of their structure and poses challenges for theorists trying to construct such jets.
A team of researchers led by Bruce Macintosh has won the AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize for their groundbreaking discovery of multiple planets orbiting a distant star. The study, published in Science, provides new insights into the detection and characterization of exoplanets.
New images from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope reveal the sources of cosmic rays, which consist mainly of protons moving at nearly the speed of light. The telescope mapped billion-electron-volt gamma-rays from middle-aged and young supernova remnants, providing insights into the origins of these energetic particles.
The US Green Building Council has awarded NASA's Exploration Sciences Building with the highest LEED Gold certification, recognizing its sustainable design and construction. The 200,000 sq ft building features nearly 60 laboratories and is the largest green building on Goddard's campus.
Physicist Patrick Huber has been awarded $750,000 by the U.S. Department of Energy to research neutrinos. His work aims to better understand the role of neutrinos in cosmology, astrophysics, and elementary particle physics, with potential breakthroughs in these fields.
Researchers have found conclusive evidence of a binary quasar formed by the merger of two galaxies. The discovery uses images from the Carnegie Institution's Magellan telescope in Chile to show tidal tails produced by gravitational attraction, confirming the merger origin for the binary quasar system.
Scientists have found a supernova explosion that exhibits characteristics of a gamma-ray burst but lacks gamma rays. The discovery using the National Science Foundation's Very Large Array radio telescope promises to aid in locating more examples of these mysterious events.
Drake Deming, a Senior Scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, has won the prestigious Beatrice M. Tinsley Prize for his pioneering work detecting thermal infrared emission from transiting extrasolar planets using the Spitzer Space Telescope. The prize recognizes Deming's outstanding research contribution to astronomy and astr...
A new simulation by researchers at the American Museum of Natural History and University of Cambridge shows that regions of outward and inward migration in a protoplanetary disk can safely trap planets on orbits. This helps explain how Earth formed without falling into the Sun.
Astronomers found that only 10 percent of stars host planetary systems similar to our own, with several gas giant planets in the outer part of the system. The discovery was made using gravitational microlensing and is based on 10 years' worth of data from the MicroFUN survey.
The Herschel Space Observatory has revealed thousands of newly discovered galaxies in their early stages of formation, providing a detailed view of the universe up to 12 billion years ago. The images are helping astronomers detect distant galaxies that would have been impossible to discover with current ground-based telescopes.
Researchers found blue stragglers with different properties, indicating both collision-induced and vampirism-based formation. These findings provide direct evidence of star cluster dynamics on stellar evolution.
Researchers found two brown dwarf-sized masses around an ordinary star, which is extremely rare. The discovery suggests that planets may assemble around stars more quickly and efficiently than thought possible.
Lowell Observatory Director Eileen Friel has been selected as an AAAS Fellow for her contributions to the astronomical community. She is recognized for her diligence in mentoring young scientists through the Research Experiences for Undergraduates program.
Astronomers have discovered a 'super-Earth' orbiting a red dwarf star 40 light-years from Earth. The planet, GJ1214b, is about 6.5 times as massive as the Earth and orbits its star once every 38 hours.
An international team of astronomers has discovered six low-mass planets, including two super-Earths, around two nearby Sun-like stars. The discovery indicates that low-mass planets are common and potentially habitable worlds may be found within a few years.
A faint star Alcor has been found to have a smaller red dwarf companion, orbiting it every 90 years. The discovery was made using the 'common parallactic motion' technique developed by Project 1640, which measures the movement of nearby stars relative to more distant ones.
Ray Jayawardhana, a University of Toronto astronomer, has been awarded the 2009 Steacie Prize for his exceptional contributions to astrophysics research. His discoveries have made headlines on several occasions, including capturing the first direct image of a giant planet revolving around a young sun-like star.
Researchers discover supernova that fits predictions for a star hundreds of times the sun's mass, revealing new insights into star formation and heavy metal creation. The study also suggests hyper-giant stars may exist beyond 150 suns, challenging our understanding of celestial physics.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics create a system called information field theory (IFT) to reconstruct incomplete image data. IFT asks two questions to determine the probability of images based on measured data and prior knowledge, allowing for optimal reconstruction in areas where telescopes are blind.
A new time-lapse movie shows the birth of massive stars in Orion's Great Nebula, revealing signs of rotating accretion disk and outflow streams. The data suggest magnetic fields may play a crucial role in star formation.
Researchers have detected gamma rays of a trillion electron volts coming from the M 82 galaxy, providing evidence for a strong connection between galaxies with high star formation and the production of cosmic rays. The discovery uses the VERITAS array of four telescopes at the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory in Arizona.
The VERITAS telescope array has found new evidence for cosmic rays in the Cigar Galaxy, supporting the theory that supernovae and stellar winds are the dominant accelerators. The discovery confirms that starburst galaxies contain more cosmic rays than normal galaxies.
A recent space experiment using the Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope has provided evidence about the fundamental structure of space and time. The team confirmed aspects of Einstein's theories of gravity, which unite space and time in the concept of space-time.
The Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) satellite has revealed an unexpected landmark at the outer edge of the solar wind bubble, forming a giant ribbon of energetic neutral atoms. The structure is associated with enhanced production of energetic neutral atoms due to interstellar magnetic forces.
Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Accelerator and Fusion Research Division are making progress with their Neutralized Drift Compression Experiment-II (NDCX-II) accelerator, a specialized user facility designed to study warm dense matter. The NDCX-II can deliver high currents in short pulses of moderate energy, heati...
New research suggests that dirty stars with a high abundance of elements like iron and oxygen are more likely to host planets. The study's findings support the idea that the composition of a star reflects its disk, leading to an increased number of exoplanets around such stars.