At the AAAS Meeting, Caltech researchers presented on various topics including linear colliders, climate change, and earthquake science. Caltech's Alice Huang will be installed as the next president of the AAAS. Researchers discussed the Second Law of Thermodynamics and its implications for our understanding of time.
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.
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.
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 developed MADmap, a new software tool that improves the mapping of the cosmic microwave background by accounting for noise in the data. The software uses a special code to weight and account for colored noise, which is a known characteristic of bolometers used to measure radiation at certain wavelengths.
Scientists have discovered that the Milky Way's magnetic field is significantly stronger than initially believed, with a strength of at least 10 times greater than the rest of the galaxy. This finding has important implications for various astronomical data calculations and theories, including star formation and cosmology.
Scientists identified a rare type of star that likely exploded into the observed superbright supernova, SN 2007bi. The discovery reveals details about the extreme heat and pressure conditions in the star's core.
Scientists at Durham University discovered rapid star formation in 'stellar nurseries' of infant galaxies, creating new stars at a rate 100 times faster than expected. This finding provides insight into the birth of our own galaxy and how it formed its first stars.
Astronomers have discovered a possible new type of supernova that occurs when helium flows onto a white dwarf, causing a thermonuclear explosion. The object, dubbed SN 2002bj, is characterized by its rapid rise and fall and strong helium signature.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are developing automated methods to discover astrophysical phenomena by analyzing massive amounts of cosmological data. These methods will enable scientists to identify larger patterns in observational data, providing insights into the evolution of the universe. The initiative aims to capitaliz...
BOSS is the largest survey in SDSS-III, measuring 1.4 million galaxies and 160,000 quasars to trace the details of the Universe's expansion history. The observation program will take five years and provide rich insights into cosmic structure and the contents of the Universe.
Dr. Rolf-Peter Kudritzki, University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy director, has been awarded the Karl Schwarzschild Prize for his contributions to galaxy research. The prize recognizes his work on studying very bright stars in distant galaxies to understand their chemical composition and distance.
The Planck space telescope has returned its first images of the sky, mapping tiny differences in microwave radiation left over from the Big Bang. This improved data will allow scientists to better understand the structure of the universe when it was about 400,000 years old and test theories about cosmic inflation.
Scientists studying neutrino experiments aim to understand the universe's expansion, Big Bang, and potential for a 'Big Crunch.' These tiny particles' unique properties and behavior are key to unlocking fundamental physics and resolving mysteries like dark matter.
Researchers found that chaotic processes and asymmetry of explosions create diversity in brightness, with potential impact on precision distance measurements. Simulations suggest use of multi-dimensional models to refine distance estimates and improve expansion rate measurements.
Recent simulations by astrophysicists reveal that the first black holes in the universe grew slowly and were deprived of gas, contradicting popular theories. The simulations suggest that these early black holes may have played a more complex role in the formation of supermassive black holes observed today.
A NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center simulation found that the universe's first black holes grew slowly due to a lack of gas, contrary to expectations. The findings have significant implications for understanding galaxy formation and the role of black holes in shaping the universe.
Researchers will conduct laboratory experiments and theoretical research to minimize the Casimir force between objects, enabling the design of efficient micro- and nano-machines. The project aims to reduce the Casimir force using different material coatings and specialized coatings to bring about a repulsive Casimir force.
The Joint Dark Energy Mission aims to determine the nature of dark energy using three techniques: supernovae, weak gravitational lensing, and baryon acoustic oscillation. A new satellite design could revolutionize these methods, enabling precise measurements of expansion history.
Astronomers have discovered a mechanism for the formation of dwarf spheroidal galaxies, which are thought to be composed mostly of dark matter. The 'cosmic dance' of gravitational interactions between galaxies may trigger the removal of stars from smaller dwarf galaxies, transforming them into the observed dwarfs.
Researchers created a detailed computer simulation of early star formation, revealing the existence of twin stars. The simulations showed that these stars provide seeds for next-generation star formation, helping scientists understand how galaxies formed.
The study found that intense heat from early stars and black holes evaporated gas from small clumps of dark matter, rendering them barren. This natural explanation for galaxy formation supports the view that cold dark matter is the best candidate for the mysterious material believed to make up most of the universe.
Freedman, Kennicutt, and Mould's work resolves decades-long debate on the Hubble constant, revealing the universe is 14 billion years old. This finding enables scientists to estimate the density of the universe and understand its fate.
A new method has been found to accurately determine the intrinsic brightness of Type Ia supernovae, enabling better cosmic distance measurements. This breakthrough uses a spectroscopic ratio and eliminates uncertainty caused by intervening dust or host galaxy type.
Researchers have discovered a mysterious giant space blob, Himiko, that existed 800 million years ago, stretching 55 thousand light years across and raising questions about its physical origins.
Researchers teach computer to find regularities in nature that become established laws without prior knowledge, applicable to biology, cosmology, and complex systems. The algorithm tests equations against known derivatives, repeats until accurate equations are found.
Researchers have proven that supernovae are caused by the explosion of two dying red supergiant stars, providing a breakthrough in understanding massive star death and the formation of chemical elements. This discovery sheds light on the origin of the universe's heaviest elements.
Sandra Faber is being honored for her extraordinary advances in understanding the properties of distant galaxies, dark matter, large-scale structure, and black holes. Her innovative leadership has driven significant discoveries in modern cosmology, including the role of dark matter in galaxy formation.
Theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss warns of a bleak future for the universe, driven by its flatness and the dominant form of energy in empty space. This shift in understanding has profound implications for our questions about the nature of reality.
Researchers harness supercomputing to recreate how galaxies form, develop, and collapse. The most detailed recreation of the universe's evolution to date is created using computer simulations that incorporate black hole physics.
Researchers at Durham University's Institute for Computational Cosmology created simulations to predict galaxy formation and dark matter effects. The work aims to improve understanding of dark matter, a mysterious substance making up 80% of the Universe's mass.
Researchers propose a new theory that galaxies formed primarily through cold gas streams, challenging the prevailing view of galactic mergers. Computer simulations suggest these streams led to efficient star formation in massive disks, driving the creation of spiral galaxies.
A team of scientists discovered a mysterious screen of extra-loud radio noise permeating the cosmos, preventing astronomers from observing heat from the first stars. The source of this cosmic background remains unknown.
The team found a cosmic puzzle that booms six times louder than predicted, ruling out origins from primordial stars and known radio sources. The source of this cosmic radio background remains a mystery, complicating efforts to detect the first stars in the universe.
A team of UBC researchers found that a mysterious force known as dark energy is responsible for the acceleration of the Universe, contradicting a theory that suggested the Earth was near the center of a giant void. The study used data from various sources, including the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe satellite.
A team of astrophysicists has discovered that hydrogen is concentrated in permanently shaded lunar craters, which could indicate the presence of ice. This finding is significant for future human exploration of the moon and could provide a water source for establishing a manned base.
Frank Morgan has received a three-year NSF grant to research manifolds with density, a generalization of Riemannian manifolds. This work builds on previous summer research and aims to solve isoperimetric problems in probability theory and geometry.
The survey uses baryon acoustic oscillations to measure the expansion of the universe. It will double the volume of space in which red luminous galaxies are studied, observing 10,000 square degrees of sky out to redshifts of z = 0.7.
Researchers at McGill University confirmed Einstein's prediction that a binary-pulsar system's spin axis should precess due to general relativity. The team observed the unique PSR J0737-3039A/B twin-pulsar system and found that one pulsar's spin axis is indeed precessing as predicted.
J. Richard Bond is honored for his theoretical framework to interpret the observed inhomogeneities in the Big Bang's fossil radiation and understand galaxy evolution. His research has helped us transition from a nearly featureless early Universe to the structured world of galaxies, stars, and planets.
Researchers have discovered a neutron star that undergoes a dramatic transformation from a pulsar to a magnetar, providing insight into the evolutionary connection between these two types of ultradense objects. The discovery was made using data from NASA's Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer and Chandra X-ray Observatory satellites.
The Lunar Array for Radio Cosmology (LARC) project aims to explore the 'Dark Ages' of the universe when stars and galaxies first formed. The new telescopes will study cosmic background radiation and test current theories about the universe's formation.
An international team of astronomers has discovered two planets resembling smaller versions of Jupiter and Saturn in a solar system nearly 5,000 light years away. The newly-discovered planets appear to be gaseous planets with masses similar to those of the giant planets in our own solar system.
Astronomers have measured the distribution and motions of thousands of galaxies in the distant Universe using ESO's VLT. This study provides a powerful way to tackle the mystery of dark energy, with results supporting the simplest form of dark energy.
Researchers used supercomputing power to simulate the early Universe and identify potential methods for measuring dark energy. The study's findings will help design a proposed satellite mission called SPACE, which aims to unveil the nature of dark energy and its role in the Universe's accelerating expansion.
Researchers solved a longstanding problem of the Cold Dark Matter cosmology model by exposing a critical relationship between interstellar gas and dark matter in galaxy birth. The study showed that dense gas clouds in galaxies form massive stars, which drive 'sloshing' effects that kick dark matter out of the galaxy's center.
A team of UWM researchers is analyzing data from the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory, searching for signs of Einstein's predicted gravitational waves. The team is using advanced computational power to sort through massive amounts of data generated by LIGO facilities.
Cosmology@Home allows people worldwide to participate in cutting-edge cosmology research by donating their unused computing cycles. Participating computers calculate the observable predictions of millions of theoretical models with different parameters, which are then compared with actual data.
Maynard Olson receives $500,000 Gruber Genetics Prize for his groundbreaking work on genome mapping and its potential to revolutionize personalized genomics. The prize honors his contributions to breaking down the human genome into manageable pieces.
The 2008 IOP Awards have recognized significant contributions to physics across various fields. Notably, Professor Rowan-Robinson's research on galactic dust has shed light on the main populations of galaxies in our universe.
Research suggests that dilaton effects could reduce the abundance of stable dark matter particles like neutralinos by a factor of ten. This finding has implications for supersymmetric searches in colliders and challenges standard cosmology theories.
Duke University researchers have devised a method to test for the presence of naked singularities, potentially existing in certain instances. Their study suggests that high-spin black holes could shed their event horizon and become observable through gravitational lensing effects.
A groundbreaking study reveals that the first stars formed at the start of the Universe depend on dark matter's nature. The research suggests that some of these primordial stars can still be found in the Milky Way galaxy today.
The National Research Council recommends the Joint Dark Energy Mission, supported by NASA and DOE, to study dark energy's role in the universe's expansion. The mission aims to map the sky with unprecedented resolution and study Type Ia supernovae to shed light on this mysterious entity.
The Gruber Cosmology Prize has been awarded to Saul Perlmutter, Brian Schmidt, and their teams for discovering the accelerating expansion of the universe, dominated by mysterious dark energy. The breakthrough was made possible through innovative techniques using distant Type Ia supernovae as standard candles.
Researchers used supercomputers to simulate galaxy mergers, revealing the formation of a new type of structure - a central disk of gas that can be thousands of light years wide. The simulations predict that the gas in this disk will extract energy from the orbiting black holes, causing them to merge and produce strong gravitational waves.
According to physicist Andrei Linde, recent developments in cosmology have changed our understanding of the structure and fate of the universe. Inflationary theory suggests that our universe could emerge from as little as a milligram of matter or even nothing, with quantum fluctuations creating galaxies along the way.
Researchers propose explanation for formation of dwarf spheroidals, faint galaxies composed almost entirely of dark matter. Simulations suggest environmental effects, including ram pressure and tidal shocking, strip away luminous matter, leaving behind dark-matter shadow.
The James Webb Space Telescope will enable fundamental breakthroughs in our understanding of the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars, and planetary systems. The telescope will complement and extend the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope with longer wavelength coverage and greatly improved sensitivity.
George Smoot has been awarded the Daniel Chalonge Medal for his 15-year contribution to the International School of Astrophysics. The award recognizes his outstanding contributions to cosmology and astrophysics, as well as his support for the school's summer and fall programs.